Hospitals in Jamaica

[SC Maintenance]

Yeah, wisdom teeth can be difficult. Had mine done in my mid thirties and it wasn't that bad but not fun.
Anesthesia is always your choice and there is no shortage of oral surgeons capable of doing any extraction.

I have done 2 wisdom teeth, one at a time, with a local. I refuse to be put under by anyone other than a real anesthesiologist in a real hospital.

Didn't hurt at all - while being done - but the amount of force they use to pull is intense. For a couple seconds you wonder if there going to snap your skull.

 

[fdcg27]

I have done 2 wisdom teeth, one at a time, with a local. I refuse to be put under by anyone other than a real anesthesiologist in a real hospital.

Didn't hurt at all - while being done - but the amount of force they use to pull is intense. For a couple seconds you wonder if there going to snap your skull.

I more recently had a tongue biopsy done while on a local.
It was very comfortable until hours later, after the local wore off. I was left with a couple of days of a very swollen and painful tongue, but it was fine by day three or so.

 

[billt460]

Look I agree with you that she never should have paid up front, or gotten in the ambulance. But just because she did doesn't justify being fleeced.

I also agree that when you try to vacation cheaply in stink hole Island nations like Jamaica, you open yourself up for this type of abuse.

For me it isn't worth the risk. Others like to roll the dice in an attempt to save a few bucks. The problem is when it goes bad this is often the result.

 

[Doc8404]

and let’s not forget, they’re in the middle of a crisis, especially with someone with limited, cognitive ability, and everyone around you thinks you broke your arm, you get in an ambulance. As far as the insurance, it is more of a reimbursement program.

 

[TomYoung]

This isn’t exactly correct however, your point is well taken and I was wrong in the way I stated it

Nonprofit hospitals in exchange for their tax exempt status must provide free and/or heavily discounted care in the USA. This doesn’t apply only to emergency rooms.

“Hospital charity care is the provision of free or discounted services to low-income. Historically, a large part of the justification for nonprofit hospitals’ tax-exempt status rests on their provision of charity care to low-income patients”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12230784/

That's not quite it. There are several questions here. One is whether a person will be served at an emergency room, regardless of their ability to pay. I think that we are all in agreement that it's good that hospitals will not allow someone to die who needs immediate treatment.

You bring up a second point about whether certain hospitals must provide free or discounted services to those in need. Note that not all hospitals fall into this category.

The last issue is the general "who pays?" question. Insurance, Medicaid, generally pays. Some individuals are not covered by either, and they are responsible and billed. But many can't pay, and the hospitals eventually take the hit.

Misunderstanding sometimes comes from the notion that healthcare "should" be free. Our healthcare system is highly regulated, but operates on some free market ideas. In places in the world were healthcare is "free," the amount of healthcare runs out, and people can wait an eternity for services...

 

[billt460]

If someone is brought to the ER and needs lifesaving treatment performed, they cannot be turned away... At least not here in America.

However, how much can they have their arm twisted to pay afterwards?

 

[Vil_Riker]

That's not quite it. There are several questions here. One is whether a person will be served at an emergency room, regardless of their ability to pay. I think that we are all in agreement that it's good that hospitals will not allow someone to die who needs immediate treatment.

You bring up a second point about whether certain hospitals must provide free or discounted services to those in need. Note that not all hospitals fall into this category.

The last issue is the general "who pays?" question. Insurance, Medicaid, generally pays. Some individuals are not covered by either, and they are responsible and billed. But many can't pay, and the hospitals eventually take the hit.

Misunderstanding sometimes comes from the notion that healthcare "should" be free. Our healthcare system is highly regulated, but operates on some free market ideas. In places in the world were healthcare is "free," the amount of healthcare runs out, and people can wait an eternity for services...

It's called EMTALA for the ED - the ED cannot turn away anyone when they present prior triage and stabilization. Then they can discharge the uninsured patient if they can't pay.

The discount for the uninsured is governed by the IRS code 501(r). Tax exempt hospitals should give a discount to the uninsured similar to the discount they give to the contracted insurances.

Overall, the healthcare industry is a ripoff in the US - expensive with poor outcomes. Places where the population have free healthcare is not as bad as you describe. I have used free healthcare in foreign countries and there are no waiting lines. In some places if you are not a citizen you are expected to pitch in, an MRI, for example, will cost 10-15 dollar equivalent, and such.

The OP's sister is getting ripped off in Jamaica. Maybe their CEO is American educated healthcare executive.

 

[fdcg27]

Look I agree with you that she never should have paid up front, or gotten in the ambulance. But just because she did doesn't justify being fleeced.

I also agree that when you try to vacation cheaply in stink hole Island nations like Jamaica, you open yourself up for this type of abuse.

For me it isn't worth the risk. Others like to roll the dice in an attempt to save a few bucks. The problem is when it goes bad this is often the result.

My guess is that you haven't been to Jamaica nor anywhere else in the Caribbean.
These are not cheap places in which to vacation and certainly more expensive than Florida or the Texas Riviera, but much nicer as well with clean beaches, warm water and nicer lodging.
Nobody goes to a Caribbean island "to save a few bucks". They go for the quality of the vacation experience. I'd suggest that you get outside of your bubble and do a little traveling. Lots of world outside of Arizona.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Overall, the healthcare industry is a ripoff in the US - expensive with poor outcomes. Places where the population have free healthcare is not as bad as you describe. I have used free healthcare in foreign countries and there are no waiting lines. In some places if you are not a citizen you are expected to pitch in, an MRI, for example, will cost 10-15 dollar equivalent, and such.

The OP's sister is getting ripped off in Jamaica. Maybe their CEO is American educated healthcare executive.

I've had an emergency room x-ray taken while abroad. I think it ended up about $200 out of pocket.

But even simple things, like with over-the-counter drugs such as cold/allergy medicine, the prices vs. a place like CVS were about half.

For the most advanced country in the world, the U.S. has the most bass-ackwards health care system industry, with profit motive, not well-being, as the primary goal. What could possibly go wrong?

For very specialized care, the U.S. is still one of the best places, but for general health care, it has become the same impersonal assembly-line quality as any place else. The days of family practitioners who looked after not only you, but your children, are long gone. Switch jobs, or when the employer switches plans, time to play provider roulette again. Worst case, lose your job and…

What's different here is that it operates inside a medical industrial complex where all the exorbitant costs are hidden from patients by the insurance companies, and the whole thing feeds upon itself. Still mostly mediocre care, but at high prices.

The main takeaway -- try not to get sick.

 

[alarmguy]

That's not quite it. There are several questions here. One is whether a person will be served at an emergency room, regardless of their ability to pay. I think that we are all in agreement that it's good that hospitals will not allow someone to die who needs immediate treatment.

You bring up a second point about whether certain hospitals must provide free or discounted services to those in need. Note that not all hospitals fall into this category.

The last issue is the general "who pays?" question. Insurance, Medicaid, generally pays. Some individuals are not covered by either, and they are responsible and billed. But many can't pay, and the hospitals eventually take the hit.

Misunderstanding sometimes comes from the notion that healthcare "should" be free. Our healthcare system is highly regulated, but operates on some free market ideas. In places in the world were healthcare is "free," the amount of healthcare runs out, and people can wait an eternity for services...

It doesn’t change the fact that the government gives nonprofit hospitals tax-free status in return for highly discounted our free service services to people who cannot afford it.
It is still a free market. The hospital willingly enters into an agreement with the government.

It’s all good. I’m in no debate here and don’t care too in a thread for out of the country healthcare

 

[billt460]

.......These are not cheap places in which to vacation and certainly more expensive than Florida or the Texas Riviera, but much nicer as well with clean beaches, warm water and nicer lodging......

Spare me. Florida and the Texas coast don't come with Level 2 Travel Restrictions from the State Department. If you're willing to pay more for that, you're nuts.

Thanks, but Florida and Texas works just fine for me...... As well as millions of other Americans who don't like foreign, corrupt, crime ridden stink holes. Perhaps you should book your next vacation to Mogadishu. The Summer rates should be kicking in right about now.

Now, you are more than welcome to go right ahead and try to B.S. all this away....

"As of early 2026, the U.S. Department of State advises exercising increased caution (Level 2) in Jamaica due to high crime, limited medical care, and storm recovery".

"Violent crime, including sexual assault, is common, even at resorts".

"Do not use public buses (including "route taxis") and avoid driving between cities after dark".

"Medical care is limited, and specialized care may not be available outside major areas".

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jam...j33i671l4.16581j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

• "Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere".

"Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common".

• "The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts".

"U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents".

• • "When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence."

 

[stanlee]

Spare me. Florida and the Texas coast don't come with Level 2 Travel Restrictions from the State Department. If you're willing to pay more for that, you're nuts.

Thanks, but Florida and Texas works just fine for me...... As well as millions of other Americans who don't like foreign, corrupt, crime ridden stink holes. Perhaps you should book your next vacation to Mogadishu. The Summer rates should be kicking in right about now.

Now, you are more than welcome to go right ahead and try to B.S. all this away....

"As of early 2026, the U.S. Department of State advises exercising increased caution (Level 2) in Jamaica due to high crime, limited medical care, and storm recovery".

"Violent crime, including sexual assault, is common, even at resorts".

"Do not use public buses (including "route taxis") and avoid driving between cities after dark".

"Medical care is limited, and specialized care may not be available outside major areas".

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jam...j33i671l4.16581j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

• "Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere".

"Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common".

• "The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts".

"U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents".

• • "When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and senten
  Jamaica has had the highest murder per capita rate for the entire world for a good 3-4 years

Spare me. Florida and the Texas coast don't come with Level 2 Travel Restrictions from the State Department. If you're willing to pay more for that, you're nuts.

Thanks, but Florida and Texas works just fine for me...... As well as millions of other Americans who don't like foreign, corrupt, crime ridden stink holes. Perhaps you should book your next vacation to Mogadishu. The Summer rates should be kicking in right about now.

Now, you are more than welcome to go right ahead and try to B.S. all this away....

"As of early 2026, the U.S. Department of State advises exercising increased caution (Level 2) in Jamaica due to high crime, limited medical care, and storm recovery".

"Violent crime, including sexual assault, is common, even at resorts".

"Do not use public buses (including "route taxis") and avoid driving between cities after dark".

"Medical care is limited, and specialized care may not be available outside major areas".

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jam...j33i671l4.16581j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...traveladvisories/jamaica-travel-advisory.html

• "Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere".

"Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common".

• "The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts".

"U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents".

• • "When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence."

lol Jamaica has had the highest murder per capita rate since 2019 yet they put that out the year Jamaica has had a 50% REDUCTION and the lowest murder rate in 30 years. I had a group of friends stuck in Jamaica (Sandals Montego Bay) DURING the hurricane and had nothing but praise and gratitude for their assistance and accommodations including getting them a flight out. Those warnings are BASELESS (for tourists locations) and anybody who travels knows locals are the ONLY folks in real danger if you stay were you’re supposed to be NO DIFFERENT than going to Miami to vacation and wandering off from south beach to Liberty city. Jamaica is reliant on tourism, white and foreign are the safest people there in AND out of designated areas (do you know what comes down to locals who bring negative intentional attention to tourism. They don’t want that problem). Just based on statistical information of crime in Jamaica from 2025-2026 you can almost guarantee those warnings have more to do with international/political relations than actual changes in danger. Jamaican tourism has been stable as long as you’ve been alive.

As for the hospital rates as a healthcare professional it is LAUGHABLE that ANY American would complain about foreign hospital rates. Do y’all think American hospitals bill less because you don’t directly pay lump sums? NOBODY charges more than American healthcare facilities, we just have the infrastructure to feed it thru govt subsidies (your taxes), cooperate subsidies (your employee benefits also made possible from YOUR commerce) and personal income (out your pocket). I can assure you nowhere in the world is charging more for healthcare . That might have been an isolated money grab based on perceived ability to pay which is EXACTLY why American healthcare cost what it cost. It’s double the western world average for no other reason than “you got it”.

 

[billt460]

Talk about trying to polish a turd. So... We have the most expensive, (and best) healthcare in the world.... And Jamaica has the highest crime rate in the western hemisphere. Enjoy your trip.

 

[stanlee]

Talk about trying to polish a turd. So... We have the most expensive, (and best) healthcare in the world.... And Jamaica has the highest crime rate in the western hemisphere. Enjoy your trip.

And what’s your data on “best” other than “Merica”? Want a cookie because it’s better than a 3rd world island the size of Connecticut (but not for vacationing )? I think you have “available” confused with “obtainable”. The “best” is available but you are not Iikely to access it (exceptions being veteran/military benefits: tricare/state VA coverage or out of pocket payers). Private insurance isn’t giving you the best anything, you just don’t know it because you are fortunate or haven’t had illnesses that put it to the test SO here are a few (real and repeated) examples.

Example #1. denial of prescribed expensive medication and demanding cheaper less effective substitutes. MD prescribes a GPL1 for diabetes. Samples worked wonderfully. You lost weight, A1c 6.5 but unless you have expensive top tier high premium “gold” PPO plan which will double your premiums your insurance is not covering it and going to recommend Metformin even if you’ve been on it and it didn’t work well. You are 9 months from open enrollment if you did want to change plans which may change again. Another example: MD prescribes Eliquis for A.fib or embolism. With GOOD insurance or Medicare it’s $400-500. You have other bills because your insurance has a $5000 per person yearly deductible and only covers 80% after that is met. You are going to have to go on Coumadin: less controllable, diet restrictions etc.

Example #2: you fell, had a cva, orthopedic surgery or ANY set of events requiring inpatient rehab. You haven’t met mobility goals and still aren’t safe to be home. Your elderly wife can’t physically care for you but insurance kicks you out anyway after 2 weeks with no suitable care arrangements put in place at home. I have PERSONALLY sent numerous people back to the hospital IMMEDIATELY after being kicked out of rehab prematurely for non coverage because they can’t so much as get to the bathroom, unsoil themselves or get a few hours of PCA coverage.

Example #3: bedfast disabled veteran with full veterans 100% disability benefits home alone 12 hours a day (all night 8pm to 8am) who can’t move if a fire breaks out because they aren’t deemed to need more than 12 hours of help.

Example #4: Need assisted living (dementia, impaired mobility etc) and can’t afford to pay $6-8k a month. You are going to be either unplaced at home burdening family members with jobs, their own family or elderly wife who can’t manage you OR they are going to give you provisional Medicaid, take all your income (SS, pension, assets…wife and house she lives in may be spared with separating into individual assets) then give you choices of the cheapest run down poorly ranked facilities in the area and that’s if your lucky and get a good city/state caseworker.

I’m telling you what I know as a healthcare professional not what I heard and I haven’t even touched on shortened hospital stays and inadequate facility staff etc. Because of high premiums AND cost cutting most studies don’t have us in the top 10 in overall healthcare outcomes and some in the mid 30s but go ahead and beat your chest while getting hosed by healthcare providers and being at Miami Florida instead of Montego Bay

 

[Vil_Riker]

So...... $23,000.00 total for a dislocated elbow. Yeah, I'd call that fleecing.

In American terms it isn't. Recently a friend needed an xray read and the interpretation portion only was more than USD6,000

It doesn’t change the fact that the government gives nonprofit hospitals tax-free status in return for highly discounted our free service services to people who cannot afford it.
It is still a free market. The hospital willingly enters into an agreement with the government.

It’s all good. I’m in no debate here and don’t care too in a thread for out of the country healthcare

For an average hospital, the government pays 75% of the revenues. We don't really have a free market - it's a highly inefficient system where each entity tries to maximize their bottom line.

 

[billt460]

Your seemingly endless rant against the American health care system doesn't change the fact people from all over the world come here when they have serious medical conditions that require specialized treatment. Why do you suppose that is?

Want to see a lot of Arabs? Just go into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic. Want to see a bunch of Canadians in one place? just go to any large American hospital near the Canadian border.

They're all there to receive immediate treatment for serious illnesses they would have to wait months in line to be treated for, if they remained in Canada.... Waiting to be treated by their overcrowded, overloaded, and inadequate healthcare system.... And they only have 41 million people, compared to our 342 million. Give me a break!

Look, you can cry and whine all day long, while trying to poke holes in our system. And it has issues, they all do. But there is no denying when people require the very best in doctors, procedures, and facilities, they come here. And that is an undeniable fact.

And all of this in spite of millions of illegal invaders flowing over our borders in the past 4 years, constantly milking our healthcare system every chance they get. All with zero chance of getting any of it payed back. If you find that so repulsive, then go to Jamaica the next time you get sick..... Assuming you can get to the hospital without getting mugged.

 

[QwikKota]

My Grandmother had a stroke in the Bahamas. It was a real crap fest. The best bet when things like this happen is to try to get them flown back to the states if at all possible.

When I lived in St. Thomas just about everybody flew back to the states to give birth. The hospital there was terrible. Luckily no one in my family ever had to go there from 1989 through 1996.

 

[alarmguy]

In American terms it isn't. Recently a friend needed an xray read and the interpretation portion only was more than USD6,000



For an average hospital, the government pays 75% of the revenues. We don't really have a free market - it's a highly inefficient system where each entity tries to maximize their bottom line.

Im happy with our system, very happy. I love choice, competition. To me the biggest disaster in history was the ACA. I can't even buy a striped down high deductible policy for my wife to retire at 63 until medicare kicks in.
Sorry, government is far less efficient for my preferences.

 

[fdcg27]

There is a lot of natural beauty to see in our country including in Arizona, so I can understand that many or maybe most of us never visit any foreign destination.
Still, it's a little silly for anyone to denigrate a country that they've never visited, and no, some State Department screed or Google search is not a reasonable substitute.
One of the greatest joys of traveling to other countries is that they aren't the same as ours so you get to experience things that are new to you. If this thought doesn't appeal to you, then join the crowds in Florida for your vacation.
WRT health care, as long as you have either Medicare or employer provided insurance you can probably get decent care in our country, although that does depend upon where you live. There are entire states in which I would not want to have an acute medical or trauma event and there are large regions where any medical care is many hours away. Better hope that your insurance covers the helicopter ride, which will run $30K+ all by itself.

 

[IndyIan]

Your seemingly endless rant against the American health care system doesn't change the fact people from all over the world come here when they have serious medical conditions that require specialized treatment. Why do you suppose that is?

Want to see a lot of Arabs? Just go into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic. Want to see a bunch of Canadians in one place? just go to any large American hospital near the Canadian border.

They're all there to receive immediate treatment for serious illnesses they would have to wait months in line to be treated for, if they remained in Canada.... Waiting to be treated by their overcrowded, overloaded, and inadequate healthcare system.... And they only have 41 million people, compared to our 342 million. Give me a break!

Look, you can cry and whine all day long, while trying to poke holes in our system. And it has issues, they all do. But there is no denying when people require the very best in doctors, procedures, and facilities, they come here. And that is an undeniable fact.

And all of this in spite of millions of illegal invaders flowing over our borders in the past 4 years, constantly milking our healthcare system every chance they get. All with zero chance of getting any of it payed back. If you find that so repulsive, then go to Jamaica the next time you get sick..... Assuming you can get to the hospital without getting mugged.

Lots of people leave the US for medical and dental treatment too, either because they don't have health insurance, or want something done that isn't covered by their health insurance.
The huge amount of money spent in the US does attract private investment in extra facilities or equipment that is very profitable even if it isn't used all the time, so there is lots of spare capacity. Hospitals and clinics in Canada don't have a lot of profit margin, as they are paid by the Provincial Health Insurance Plan, and the insurance plan sets the rates for service, so the hospitals and clinics try not to have a surplus of equipment or staff. That said, I find I don't wait at all for non emergency imaging services, but that's not true for every hospital.

Personally I like our system, and there is a bit of triaging of resources, so not every new procedure is available right away until it is proven to be cost effective. And if you have enough money or private insurance, you can go to the US or where ever and get things done there. But for most people who don't have that option, they get good healthcare here, even if they have a chronic condition.

I have heard of some people not getting knee or hip replacements for many months, but some of that was COVID backlog, and if you are willing to travel to a hospital with a lower wait time, you can get in that line instead.