Cuba - Cost of Health insurance

[sailing_saint]

We are planning to cross to Cuba in the next few days.

I know we need health insurance prior to arriving or we need to buy it when we get there.

I have been unable to find the cost of purchasing it on arrival. Most health insurance you buy online have restrictions in them which would make them invalid if you actually need to make a claim. Things like needing to be registered with a GP or journey must start and end in same country of residence and not be more than 30 days etc...

Does anyone know the cost of buying it there or can they recommend an insurance company that would cover you as a cruiser with no fixed residence.

I am thinking if it is not that expensive to buy it on arrival, at least if you actually need it they are likely to honour the insurance.

[bgallinger]

Normally I would suggest medical evacuation insurance. It's cheap and will get you home but I don't know if that works in your case or with Cuba specifically.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by sailing_saint

We are planning to cross to Cuba in the next few days.

I know we need health insurance prior to arriving or we need to buy it when we get there.

I have been unable to find the cost of purchasing it on arrival. Most health insurance you buy online have restrictions in them which would make them invalid if you actually need to make a claim. Things like needing to be registered with a GP or journey must start and end in same country of residence and not be more than 30 days etc...

Does anyone know the cost of buying it there or can they recommend an insurance company that would cover you as a cruiser with no fixed residence.

I am thinking if it is not that expensive to buy it on arrival, at least if you actually need it they are likely to honour the insurance.

Check here.. may be some advice from folk who've done the trip...
Cuba — Noonsite

[glenn.225]

You might try a Canadian provider or it will probably cheaper to pay cash. Doctors arn't payed much more than anyone else and are well trained. I dont believe I had extra insurance when I was there last year.

[youmeandthed]

I would get evacuation insurance and carry some Canadian Cash, just in case they actually charge you for the services (which will be really affordable if they do). I'm under the impression Medical Care is free in Cuba, it's kinda their thing.

[TeddyDiver]

Free for Cubans, for tourists (had friends needing hospital care a couple of times) normal travel Insurance is adequate to cover the expences. Note that they don't have antibiotics as pils so got to stay in a hospital.

[mottseng]

Information on Noonsite.com states that if you medical attention while in Cuba they will transport you to the nearest tourist medical facility. What that means and what the costs are is unknown.

[sailing_saint]

I have read the info on noonsite. There are a lot of sites that state you have to have non US health insurance when going to Cuba, it says if you do not have it then you must buy it on arrival. No where can I find out the cost though. Of course this may only be enforced at airports given another comment on this thread saying they did not have to buy it.

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[MaryEllenCarter]

According to Matt and Jessica's sailing page it is $3.00 a day:

He also explained that we would need to purchase health insurance there for the cost of $3/day since any medical claims could not be sent to the US to collect payment. We told him we’d be happy to pay any medical expenses out of pocket, but he said it was non-negotiable and the money for this would need to be paid upon our departure.

Welcome to Socialist Cuba | Matt & Jessica's Sailing Page

I highly recommend reading the entire fascinating account of the time they spent there.