Healthcare in the Dominican Republic for retirees
Healthcare in the Dominican Republic for retirees is mostly private, from CEDIMAT and Hospiten in Santo Domingo to Hospiten Bávaro in Punta Cana; legal residents may also join social security.
The hospitals retirees use, what insurance does and does not cover. Checked against official and hospital sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Life expectancy
- 73.9 years US 78.9. World Bank, 2024
- Doctors
- 2.4 per 1,000 US 3.7. World Bank, 2023
- Health spending
- $489/person Per year; US $13,473. World Bank, 2023
- Paid out of pocket
- 25.1% Of all health spending; US 10.9%. World Bank, 2023
Hospitals retirees use in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
CEDIMAT
- Diagnostic and advanced medicine centre opened in 1999, with a cardiovascular centre added in 2016
- 24-hour emergency, clinical laboratory and blood bank
- Imaging, cardiology, neurology, oncology, surgery and other specialties
CEDIMAT. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Santo Domingo
Hospiten Santo Domingo
- 60 beds, 16 of them intensive care
- 24-hour emergency care
- Part of the Hospiten hospital group
Hospiten. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Punta Cana
Hospiten Bávaro
- 71 beds, 7 of them intensive care
- Emergency department with 12 boxes
- Part of the Hospiten hospital group
Hospiten. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Santiago de los Caballeros
Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS)
- Founded in 2008; 368 beds since 2021
- Accredited by Accreditation Canada at Gold and Platinum level in 2022
- Cardiovascular, cancer, renal and robotic surgery centres
HOMS. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
The Social Security Law of 2001 gives every Dominican citizen and every legal resident the right to join the Dominican Social Security System, whose Family Health Insurance covers health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Its contributory scheme is for employees and employers; there are subsidized schemes for self-employed people and people on low or unstable incomes.
Paying for care in the Dominican Republic
25.1% of health spending in the Dominican Republic is paid directly by patients, about 2.5 times the US share, so plan how you will pay before you move.
Retirees use either an international health plan, which can also cover care at home and in other countries, or a local plan from an insurer in the Dominican Republic, which costs less but covers care there only. Prices depend on age and on the insurer's terms for existing conditions; compare written quotes.
If you are on Medicare
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital.
Medicare.gov. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Healthcare questions
Does Medicare cover me in the Dominican Republic?
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital. Plan on private insurance or paying directly for care in the Dominican Republic.
Do I need health insurance for the Pensionado visa?
No. The Migration Directorate's list for pensionado residence does not include health insurance. It asks for medical exams at a DGM-authorized centre and a guarantee policy from an insurer DGM authorizes, and an application with dependants must include a repatriation policy.
How much of the bill do people pay themselves?
In the Dominican Republic, 25.1% of all health spending is paid out of pocket, against 10.9% in the US (World Bank, 2023).
What health requirements are there for a pensionado visa in the Dominican Republic?
The consulate asks for a medical certificate for the residence visa, and once in the country you take medical exams at a centre authorized by the Migration Directorate (RD$6,300). Health insurance is not on DGM's list; a guarantee policy from an authorized insurer is.
Can foreign residents join the Dominican social security health system?
Yes. The Social Security Law gives every legal resident the right to join the Dominican Social Security System and its Family Health Insurance.
Is there a good hospital in Punta Cana?
Hospiten Bávaro, on the Verón - Punta Cana road, has 71 beds, 7 of them intensive care, and an emergency department.
