Signing up for Belize’s National Health Insurance (NHI) – Only One Year Late

Just over a year ago, San Pedro officially joined the Belize’s National Health Insurance (NHI) network. It was announced with a bit of fanfare at the time. It is particulary cool that it is being partially funded by Boledo – the Belize lottery. It was a (shady-seeming) private venture and then was nationalized in 2023.

But somehow, all of this was just a distant blip on my radar. Maybe I missed it in the news – that’s VERY possible? Just assumed it didn’t apply to me? It was almost certainly influenced by what I call “Expat Denial”: that magical thinking that if you don’t need medical care today – I mean….come on! it’s sunny and beautiful out and I’m wearing shorts and flip-flops! – that I can just ignore the whole subject indefinitely.

The truth is: it does apply to me. I go to the doctor! I have visited doctors quite a few times in my 18 years in Belize. A fantastic dermatologist, the gynecologist, Jeff, and I were just in Belize City two weeks ago to see the ear doctor about hearing aids. I have also gone to see specialist doctors in Mexico – where it is not available in Belize. (An endocrinologist in Merida, Mexico and more recently, a great doctor who visits nearby Chetumal Mexico once a month from Mexico City)

AND I was sworn in as a Belizean citizen in August 2023 (it was SOOOO amazing) after living on Ambergris Caye for 16 years.

The National Healthcare Insurance in Belize applies to anyone living and working here with a Belize Social Security card. The card is the key to signing up.

If you don’t have a card, you can visit the Belize Social Security website to make an appointment through their online portal. It’s all pretty easy – and if you can’t figure it out, just go into the office on Middle Street. They are VERY helpful.

But you don’t need to be a Belizean citizen – Residents, work permit holders, and others who qualify for a Social Security number are eligible. Here is the official list from the Belize Social Security website:

• Born Belizeans
• Foreign Born person with Permanent Residency
• Foreign Born person with Temp Residency and right to work
• Foreign born person with Temp Residency without the right to work – Dependents and Student Permit Holders

What NHI Is All About

The NHI is Belize’s push toward universal health coverage – making sure that every Belizean (and legal resident) can see a doctor, manage chronic conditions, get screenings, and fill prescriptions without going bankrupt. The government works with certain clinics, pays most of the bill, and you pay only a small co-payment – usually 10% but often nothing at all.

In San Pedro, that means you can use:

• Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II (just south of town) – I got my physical/blood tests for my citizenship there for free
• San Carlos Medical Center (on Middle Street with Dr. Giovanni Solorzano)
• San Pedro Urgent Care (part of the Grand Caribe complex with Dr. Renae Reasa)

What It Covers

Once you’re signed up, you’ll have access to:

• General doctor visits for common illnesses and check-ups
• Chronic disease care (diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma) – my thryoid issue can be partially tested (just one part of the full thyroid panel – the TSH – qualifies)
• Maternal and child health services
• Screenings like blood pressure checks, pap smears, prostate exams, mammograms

Basic lab work and some prescription medications:

It’s not everything – many surgeries, private hospital care, or specialty treatments outside the NHI list aren’t covered – but it’s a great safety net for everyday healthcare and check-ups.

Dr. Renae has the price card in her office so you can take a look. These are just some excerpts. I hope you can see them.

Signing Up (and Why I Took So Long)

The process is crazy easy: bring your Social Security card to any NHI clinic, fill out a short form, and you’re in the system. No fees, no medical test, no fuss.

I actually went by Dr. Renae’s booth 2 weeks ago at the Belize Business Expo and grabbed a sign up form. She gave me a quick run down and I was…well…a bit stunned that I didn’t know about this.

Wait…what? It’s $2bzd for a doctor’s visit. TWO DOLLARS! I grabbed a sign-up sheet (it’s really just SS#, address and how to reach you) and…I meant to fill it out all week.

My First Appointment

But I didn’t ACTUALLY bring it in until Tuesday – a few days ago…when I had some soreness in my right upper chest that I thought was a strained muscle but…the more I googled, the more I realized that: 1. I’m about to turn 52 in less than a week. And 2. I watched Jeff have a VERY PAINFUL heart attack in Belize…at the age of 49 and it was AWFUL and 3. Dr. Renae’s office is right on the way to town and in Belize, you can almost always just go into the Dr’s office and get an appointment

So I stopped in. And filled out the form. And waited 20 minutes to see Dr. Renea – she fit me in between appointments. We chatted for 20 minutes – we did a check-up and talked some more. And she confirmed it was muscular. Phew. I mean…I knew it, I just wanted to be sure. 🙂

When going thru my medical history she asked me when I last got a physical…and signed me up for a slew of tests – blood, urine, stool – and a mammogram. I will go in on Monday to drop all my excretions.

So my appointment – and my blood tests (with 9 or 10 blood panels – from liver to parasite to my thyroid TSH, occult blood, urinalysis – I prepaid for the testing) cost $52.85 BZD.

I mean….that’s amazing. Right? I’m not saying leave your job in the USA to run down here for free healthcare…

But if I didn’t know, maybe you didn’t either?

There is a lot that is not included – eyes, dental, hospital services, specialty doctors – some aren’t even available in the country at any price. But if you aren’t feeling well, it’s fantastic. If you want to get on top of some early detection tests or monitor illnesses like diabetes or hypertension…it’s great.

Also, consults are free for those under 5 years old, the “elderly” – 60 and over (UGH!) and pregnant women.

You can take a look at the website – or you can stop in and chat with one of the offices to find out more. I’m sharing my experience because…as we age…it’s IMPORTANT to stay on top of this stuff! Living in Belize isn’t being on vacation every day…it’s real life!