Returning Residents Guide - A Complete Safety & Security Guide to Coming Home to Jamaica

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Options for Returnees

1. Local Insurance Providers
   o Sagicor Life Jamaica, Guardian Life, JN Life, Advantage General.
   o Offer plans that cover hospitalisation, surgery, and outpatient care.
   o Premiums depend on age and pre-existing conditions.


2. International Insurance
   o Cigna Global, Allianz, Bupa — may allow worldwide coverage, but premiums are high.
   o Useful for returnees who expect to travel often between Jamaica and overseas.


3. National Health Fund (NHF)
   o Jamaican programme that subsidises medication for chronic illnesses like hypertension,
   diabetes, asthma.
   o Requires local registration (TRN and doctor’s certification).

 Table: Insurance Options for a 65-Year-Old Returnee

This table provides general guidance for typical health insurance plan tiers in Jamaica, without naming
any specific companies. It reflects realistic cost ranges including the fact that a family on a higher-tier
plan (e.g., Gold) may pay over USD $10,000 per year.

Plan Tier Typical Annual Cost

(USD)

What It Usually Includes

Basic Plan $1,200 – $3,000 Hospitalisation only, limited doctor visits,

no dental, limited diagnostics

Standard Plan $3,500 – $7,000 Hospital + outpatient, doctor visits, basic

dental, diagnostics, limited ambulance

Gold / Premium Plan $8,000 – $15,000+ Full medical, outpatient, dental,

ambulance, diagnostics, sometimes

overseas coverage

Section 3 – Pharmacies & Medications

• Jamaica has chain pharmacies (Fontana, Monarch, Discount) and independent outlets.


• Common medications (blood pressure, diabetes, asthma) are widely available.


• Brand names may differ; always bring a written list of your prescriptions with generic drug
  names.


• If on rare medications, consider shipping a supply or checking with MOHW before relocating.