Cayman Islands doctors & hospitals, health services and health insurance

Last updated: 9th Jan 2012

In this section we give detailed information on the healthcare services in the Cayman Islands; we describe each of the hospitals and list all the medical professionals on Grand Cayman in order of their chosen specialty. This information is taken from the Medical & Dental Practitioners Board of registered doctors and health care workers and it is then checked and double checked and finally listed by specialty. It is the easiest, most accurate and up to date place to find any health related information!

A broad range of medical services are available on Grand Cayman with two fully-equipped hospitals, numerous clinics and many private specialist doctors and general practitioners. We also attract a wealth of visiting specialists. Healthcare and medications are quite costly. It is advised that you secure your health insurance immediately, as health insurance coverage is mandatory on the Island.

In addition to a wide array of medical services and procedures available on-Island, it is also possible to have advanced radiology, CTs, MRI, digital mammograms, 3D and 4D-ultrasounds, echocardiography, GI endoscopy, chemotherapy, hospice and in-home nursing. Pharmacies are well stocked and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.

There are a number of health oriented associations and support groups who promote awareness, raise funds for equipment and tests etc, in areas such as alcoholism, autism, breast feeding, cancer, diabetes, grief recovery, heart disease, learning disorders, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell, substance abuse, and many others. Please refer to the Social Life chapter for contact information.

Patients should be aware that the medical community will use Fahrenheit (˚F), rather than Centigrade (˚C) to measure body temperature; Pounds (abbreviated as ‘lb’) and ounces (abbreviated as ‘oz.’) rather than Kilograms (kg) for weight, and finally, Feet (abbreviated as ‘ft’) and inches (abbreviated as ‘in’) rather than meters and centimeters (m/cm) for height. See table on this page to assist you in making these conversions, which could be useful when communicating with your doctor over the phone.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance is required by law. The law stipulates that every resident of the Cayman Islands must be covered by a contract of health insurance. Employers must provide, at the very least, a standard health insurance contract for their employees from the very first day of employment, regardless of the type or length of their work permit. These provisions also apply to self employed people and those in a partnership. This requirement on employers extends to any dependant spouse and child living in the Islands. Employers are entitled to deduct (from the employee’s wages) 50% of the premium cost for an individual employee and 100% for his or her dependants.

Plans vary from the basic to the all inclusive, which covers prescriptions, dental, optical and most outpatient services. The cost also varies with age. Preexisting conditions are sometimes excluded so be sure to ask before cancelling your insurance at home – it is possible you could get global coverage on your existing health insurance which will cover you in Cayman. However, the likelihood is that you may still require the minimum standard health insurance coverage from one of the local providers. The lowest cost we found for a basic plan with dental and vision, for an individual, is CI$165 per month and without dental, mental, vision and prescription is CI$105. The premier plan, with dental, vision and prescriptions is between CI$495 and CI$677 per month (depending on the company), and CI$280 and CI$624 without dental, mental and vision, per individual. These rates are usually about 30% less with a company plan. One company (CINICO) also offers a low income participant rate for CI$67 a month, but some requirements must be met and enrolment is only accepted at specific dates in the calendar year.

Insurance premiums will go up each year if you or anyone in your group plan makes claims during the year. There are some plans where you pay 20% of each and every claim but the benefit of being on such a plan is that your premium never rises. Make sure to investigate what benefits each plan gives. We once again did some research for a couple who were thinking of retiring here: he was 58 and she was 52. The cost would have been close to US$1200 per month for a reasonably comprehensive coverage on a non-company plan. This was to cover them for US$2,000,000 each until the age of 65 when the premium stayed the same but the coverage dropped to US$500,000 for the rest of their lives. The high cost of our health insurance has been known to put people off retiring here. Almost all insurance companies have a deductible that must be met before the plan starts paying either 100% or 80% of the costs. It is worth discussing with your health insurance provider exactly what is and what is not covered. Medical services are very good but very expensive in Cayman and it is better to be educated and covered than face the alternative.

Some medical and dental practitioners accept local insurance ‘on assignment’ provided that the insurance company guarantees payment and your deductible has been met. This means that they will claim directly from the insurance company for work done on your behalf. Be aware that all charges may not be paid by the insurance company as some private practice fees may exceed the ‘Reasonable and Customary Fees’. You are advised to always confirm with the medical practitioner the cost of the impending treatment. For large items it is not unreasonable to ask for a written quote which is called a ‘predetermination of benefits’. Almost all medical practitioners will verify your insurance coverage with the insurance company before they carry out any service.

Health Insurance Companies
BAF Insurance Company (Cayman) Ltd.
Tel: (345) 949 5811 Fax: (345) 949 7192
Group and individual plans are available.
British Caymanian Insurance (Britcay)
Tel: (345) 949 8699 Fax: (345) 945 0658
BritCay is a subsidiary of Colonial Medical. They offer group coverage. For individual cover they work through a broker called Professional Immigration Services.

Cayman First Insurance Company
(formerly Sagicor)
Tel: (345) 949 7028 Fax: (345) 949 7457
Email: askus@caymanfirst.com
www.caymanfirst.com
They offer a variety of group or individual plans.

CINICO (CI National Insurance Company)
Tel: (345) 949 8101 Fax: (345) 949 8226
This is the CI Government’s health insurance company. They offer standard and low income health insurance only for individuals (no groups) but enrolment is accepted only in January and in July. Overseas coverage includes Jamaica and the US.

Generali Worldwide Insurance Company Ltd.
Agent: Cayman Insurance Centre
Tel: (345) 949 4657 Fax: (345) 949 8137
Generali only offers group plans.

Health Insurance Brokers
Working through an insurance broker is no different than going to the insurance company directly- they all charge exactly the same premiums on health insurance but some of them can offer you a cost comparison from different companies.

Aon Risk Solutions
Tel: (345) 949 1266 Fax: (345) 949 8163
Email: aoncayman@aon.com
Independent health insurance broker assisting groups, families and individuals with all available A- (or higher) rated insurers, including: Aetna, British Caymanian, Cayman First, Fidelity and Generali.

Derek Bogle Insurance
Tel: (345) 949 0579 Fax: (345) 949 0624
Email: service@bogleins.com
Group and individual health insurance plans.

Fidelity Insurance
Tel: (345) 949 5836 Fax: (345) 943 2584
Email: health.admin@fidelitycayman.com
Group and individual brokers for Guardian Life.

First Financial Insurance Brokers Ltd./Quikcare
Tel: (345) 946 2273 Fax: (345) 946 7322
Email: info@quikcareinsurance.com
Group and individual brokers for Cayman First Insurance Company Ltd. They have a network of five doctors on-Island allowing policy holders up to 10 visits per year.

Professional Immigration Services
Tel: (345) 945 5616 or (345) 945 1994
Brokers for BritCay, Fidelity and Cayman First offering individual and group health insurance.

Vaccinations for Cayman

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that no vaccinations are required for international travel to the Cayman Islands. However there are routine immunisation schedules for children and adults that local doctors recommend: Tetanus, BCG, Diphtheria, Polio, MMR vaccine and Hepatitis B. None of these are required for entry into the Islands. Vaccines can be scheduled at doctors offices or at the public health clinic.

LOCAL HOSPITALS
As mentioned above, Grand Cayman has two fully equipped hospitals and there is also a hospital on Cayman Brac. In late 2011, construction on the CI$2 billion dollar Narayana Cayman University Medical Centre (otherwise known as the Shetty Hospital) will commence. This 15-year project will consist of a 2,000 bed tertiary-care hospital, an educational facility, a biotech park and an assisted living community. The project will be located in High Rock, in the district of East End.

Cayman Islands Hospital (CIH)
95 Hospital Road, George Town
Tel: (345) 949 8600 Fax: (345) 949 2998
The Cayman Islands Hospital is located in the heart of George Town. It is a modern 124 bed hospital, encompassing 139,066 square feet on two storeys and is the principal healthcare facility in the country. It offers accident and emergency service, general practitioner clinics, full maternity services, daily general practice surgeries, haemodialysis, wellness clinics, mammograms, paediatrics, operating theatres, physiotherapy, a pharmacy, laboratory services, including a DNA forensic unit and other facilities expected in a modern healthcare setting. Specialist services include: gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, cardiology, internal medicine, dental clinic, dermatology, haematology, oncology, occupational therapy, urology, dieticians, psychology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, radiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, otorhinolaringology (ear, nose and throat) and reconstructive surgery. The CIH also brings many visiting specialists to the Island on a regular basis.

The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital (CTMH)
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road, GT
Tel: (345) 949 6066 Fax: (345) 945 1695
CTMH is a private 18 bed facility offering personalised, high quality healthcare. They offer a wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
These include:

24 hour urgent care (A&E).
Family practice services open all week.
Private and semi-private in-patient rooms.
Family-orientated Maternity Unit with four private birthing suites.
Two operating rooms and specialised endoscopy suite.
Urgent and non-emergency care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
MRI machine, Digital Mammography, CAT Scan, DEXA Bone Density, X-Ray and 3D Ultrasound.
Range of highly qualified physicians offering comprehensive services including gastroenterology, oncology, internal medicine, radiology, psychiatry,paediatrics, cardiology, surgical and medical services, dermatology, podiatry, gynaecology, anaesthesia and pain controlas well as general and family practicespecialists. Visiting specialists include: neurosurgeons, cardiologists, oncologists, urologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons and ENT specialists.
Support services of laboratory, radiology,pharmacy and physical therapy.
Medical Day Spa

The CTMH also has a private satellite clinic, Savannah Medical Clinic, located in Unit #3, Countryside Shopping Village, Savannah (Tel: (345) 749 6066 and Fax: (345) 945 2798). They also bring in many visiting specialists on a regular basis. Check the newspapers or their website for announcements.

Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac
Tel: (345) 948 2243 Fax: (345) 948 2460
Email: yvette.dilbert@hsa.ky
Faith Hospital serves the residents of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. This 18 bed facility provides primary, secondary and emergency care. Physicians provide services in the fields of general medicine, surgery, anaesthesia and obstetrics and gynaecology. Regular visits by specialist physicians from the Cayman Islands Hospital on Grand Cayman supplement these services by providing paediatric, orthopaedic, mental health, urology, internal medicine, ophthalmology and nutrition. Emergency Medical Service provides emergency care and transport. Renal dialysis is also available. There is only one private physician, Dr. Charles Reid, working as a GP on Cayman Brac. See the general practitioner’s listings.

OUTPATIENT CLINICS
The Heart Health Centre -Outpatient Cardiology Centre
Unit 7, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 5800 Fax: (345) 943 5801
Email:info@hearthealthcayman.com
Services: EKGs, exercise (treadmill) stress tests, Holter monitor interpretations, echocardiograms, stress-echocardiograms, and nuclear cardiology (Myocardial Perfusion (SPECT) imaging studies). In partnership with KY Imaging, they also offer general ultrasounds and vascular studies. All reports prepared by Board Certified Cardiologists.

HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY
District Clinics, Grand Cayman:
Bodden Town Health Centre
Four days a week general practice and dental clinic (adults and children) by appointment. Six days a week nursing services, lab tests and vaccines.
Tel: (345) 947 2299

East End Health Centre
Two days a week doctors in the general practice clinic, six days a week nursing services and vaccines.
Tel: (345) 947 7440

George Town Health Centre
General practice clinic, lab tests and nursing services conducted six days a week. For vaccinations go to the Public Health Clinic in the Cayman Islands Hospital.
Tel: (345) 244 2800/2848

North Side Health Centre
Two days a week doctors in the general practice clinic, six days a week nursing services, ambulance service stationed there and vaccines on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month by appointment.
Tel: (345) 947 9525

West Bay Health Centre
5 days a week general practice clinic by appointment, lab tests, nursing services and dental clinic.
Tel: (345) 949 3439

OVERSEAS HOSPITAL
Patients may be referred to overseas hospitals for specific treatments either unavailable or not commonly performed on-Island. Often heart attack victims, premature babies and those who experience a bad accident are airlifted to Miami for further treatment. Check with your insurance company about in-network services abroad or for pre-approval of treatment. Two well known and commonly used Florida-based hospitals include:

Baptist Health International
Cayman Islands Office
Governors Square, Suite 4-101
Tel: (345) 749 3304 Fax: (345) 749 3305
24 Hour US Tel: (786) 596 2373
24 Hour US Fax: (786) 596 3648
Email: international@baptisthealth.net
Baptist Health International is one of America’s largest hospital-based international programs. Their international office is located at Governors Square, just off West Bay Road. Through this office they provide a personalized point of contact for Cayman Islands physicians, insurance companies and patients in need of service at Baptist Health facilities. Baptist Health South Florida is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organisation in the South Florida region. Their network includes Centers of Excellence that extend throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties. Their proximity to Miami International Airport and their reputation for quality care make them an ideal destination for international patients.

Miami Children’s Hospital - Global Health
3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33155
It is located between Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) and 62nd Avenue at 30th Street near Coral Gables.
Tel: (305) 666 6511 or (305) 662 8281
In the US, toll free on: 1 (888) 797 6010
Email: globalhealth@mch.com
The Miami Children’s Hospital is one of the top institutions in America offering more than 40 specialties and subspecialties in advanced comprehensive care areas for infants, children and young adults, such as critical care, plastic surgery, heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, among others that may not be currently being offered in the Cayman Islands. Miami Children’s Hospital has more paediatric programs ranked among “America’s Best” by US News and World Report for 2011-2012 than any other Florida hospital. The hospital has ranked programs for treatment of: cancer; cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; gastroenterology; neonatology; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and urology. No other hospital in Florida is listed in all ten categories for which the publication provides rankings.

Overseas Medical Services & Assistance
ORNOA
Suite 118, 5201 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
Tel: (305) 763 7997 Fax: (305) 397 1148
Email: info@ornoa.com
ORNOA is a free referral service of top independent physicians and medical centres dedicated to guiding patients to the most appropriate medical care in South Florida. They offer assistance with health insurance paperwork and its patient navigation services offer personalized attention, ensuring patients are never alone throughout the process. ORNOA can also obtain discounted self-pay rates.

Medical Loans & Financial Assistance
For Caymanian patients (with proof of citizenship, among other criteria to be met) who have a medical emergency that requires overseas treatment, the government offers an Overseas Medical Loan. This loan should be sought only after all other options (bank loan, family help or life insurance) have been exhausted. Contact nedra.ebanks@gov.ky or the Treasury Department on (345) 949 7900 extension 2141 or 2135. Cayman Airways offers special medical fares to residents who are referred overseas for medical care by a local doctor. Contact Cayman Airways for details and eligibility.

LABORATORY & DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Cayman is very well served with the latest equipment and fully qualified doctors and technicians trained to perform blood analysis (glucose, cholesterol and HIV testing, DNA tests and others), urinalysis, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, bone density, digital mammography, echocardiograms, stress tests and Thallium scans.

Cayman Health
Grand Harbour Medical Suites, Red Bay
Tel: (345) 946 4715 or (345) 326 1643

Cayman Islands Imaging
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road
Tel: (345) 949 6066 ext 500
Services include: MRI, digital mammography, CAT scans, ultrasound & 3D maternity ultrasound, 4D ultrasonography, digital X-rays, echocardiography, bone density scanner and Board Certified Radiologist on-site.

Cayman Neurology & Pain Management
Unit 5, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 6900 Fax: (345) 943 6801
Email: neurologycayman@gmail.com
Services include: Botox, EEG, EMG and NCV studies, minimally invasive pain management and Doppler studies.

Harmonic Health Consultants
Unit 5, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 5900 Fax: (345) 943 5801
Email: info@harmonichealthgroup.com
Services offered in 3 fields: Orthopaedics, Urology (both for adults and pediatric patients) and Vascular Surgery.

The Heart Health Centre
Unit 5, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 5800 Fax: (345) 943 5801
Email: info@hearthealthcayman.com
Services include: EKGs, stress testing, echocardiography, ultrasound and nuclear cardiology.

KY Imaging
Unit 5, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 6800 Fax: (345) 943 6801
Email: kyimaging1@gmail.com
Services include: open MRI, MRA, DEXA bone density testing (for osteoporosis), X-rays and CT scans.

Med Lab
Smith Road Plaza, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 949 7331 Fax: (345) 949 1436

Phoenix Health Services
21 Eclipse Drive, Rankin’s Plaza
Off Eastern Avenue, George Town
Tel: (345) 943 8150 Fax: (345) 943 8151
Email: phoeltd@candw.ky
Services include: a full range of laboratory diagnostic tests from cytology to paternity testing, done both in-house as well as send outs, working in conjunction with many overseas facilities. Overseas referrals are accepted. Open from 8.30am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm.

The Vein Care Centre at KY Imaging
Unit 5, West Shore Center, 508 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 6800 Fax: (345) 943 6801
Email: kyimaging1@gmail.com
Services include: consultations and opinions by a Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins and sclerotherapy injections for spider veins.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Equipment such as wheelchairs and scooter wheelchairs can be leased from Valu-Med Pharmacy (Tel: (345) 949 0442).

MEDICAL PRACTICE (GENERAL & FAMILY)
Unlike the UK and other countries, there is no need to formally register with a doctor when you arrive in Cayman. When you need to see a doctor you can just arrange a visit. Private, general and family practitioners are listed below. Other general and family practitioners can also be found at the government’s district clinics and the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority. Unless otherwise stated, all doctors listed are based in Grand Cayman.

Dr. John Addleson MB ChB
International Medical Group
Suite 30, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 945 2881 Fax: (345) 949 4341
Email: zadoctors@gmail.com
Languages: English and Afrikaans

Dr. Alvaro Armiñán MD
Cayman Falls Plaza, 1145 West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 943 5676

Dr. Dirk Belfonte MBBS MRCP (UK) DCH
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road , GT

Dr. Dirk Belfonte MBBS MRCP (UK) DCH
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road , GT
Tel: (345) 326 5741 Fax: (345) 946 2624

Dr. Rina Bernard MD
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road, GT
Tel: (345) 949 6066 Fax: (345) 945 1695

Dr. Ciriaco Borroto MD
Suite 1, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 949 6040 Fax: (345) 949 6045
Dr. Else Christoffersen MB BCh LRCP & SI (NUI)

Cayman Doctors Ltd.
Unit 9, West Shore Center (Pink Plaza)
508 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 943 6363 Fax: (345) 943 6364
Email: dr.else@cayman-doctors.com
Languages: English, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and German

Dr. Louis Cona MD
The Strand Medical Centre
The Strand Shopping Center, off West Bay Road
Tel: (345) 945 7077 Fax: (345) 945 3153
Email: thestrandmedicalcentre@candw.ky
Languages: English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. Services include: General and family practice, minor surgery, child health, women’s health, musculo-skeletal injuries, dive medicine, allergies/allergy tests, medically supervised weight reduction programme, insurance physicals and sports medicine.

Dr. Lynn Dawber MB ChB Dip Mid COG
International Medical Group
Suite 30, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 945 2881 Fax: (345) 949 4341
Email: zadoctors@gmail.com
Languages: English and Afrikaans

Dr. Samantha Digby BMBS DCH DRCOG MRCGP
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road, GT
Tel: (345) 949 6066 Ext. 202
Email: samdigby@doctors.org.uk

Dr. Sidney Ebanks MBBS
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road
Email: sidney.ebanks@gmail.com
Tel: (345) 949 6066 Fax: (345) 945 1695

Dr. Fiona Foster MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG
Suite 23, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 949 8086

Dr. Angela Glidden MD DABFP
Tel: (345) 925 7027 Fax: (345) 947 4477
Email: glidden_MD@yahoo.com
US Board Certified Family Medicine specialist, specialising in family care and home visits.

Dr. Virginia Hobday MBBS MRCGP DFFP MPHIL
Cayman Clinic, 439 Crewe Road
Tel: (345) 949 7400 Fax: (345) 949 9045
Email: drhobday@caymanclinic.ky
Second language: French

Dr. Victor Look Loy MBBS
Unit 4, 2nd Floor, Windward Centre
93 Smith Road, George Town
Tel: (345) 949 7535 Fax: (345) 949 8920

Dr. Joseph Marzouca BSc MBBS
Suite 29, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 949 6631 Fax: (345) 949 6826

Dr. Denise Osterloh MB ChB
Cayman Clinic, 439 Crewe Road
Tel: (345) 949 7400 Fax: (345) 949 9045
Email: drosterloh@caymanclinic.ky

Dr. Ruthlyn Pomares MBBS
Unit 14A, Rankin’s Plaza
21 Eclipse Drive, George Town
Tel: (345) 945 2273 Fax: (345) 945 8553

Dr. Charles H. Reid BM BCh
The Brac Clinic, Tibbetts Square
West End, Cayman Brac
Tel/Fax: (345) 948 1777

Dr. Enoka Richens MBBS CCFP
Seven Mile Medical Clinic, Queens Court
West Bay Road, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 5600 Fax: (345) 949 5601
Email: drrichens@sevenmileclinic.ky

Dr. Andrew Robinson BSc MBBS
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
19 Middle Road, off Walkers Road, GT
Tel: (345) 949 6066 Fax: (345) 945 1695

Dr. Gordon Smith MB ChB MRCP (UK) MRCGP DRCOG
Windward Centre, 93 Smith Road
George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 2970 Fax: (345) 946 2768
General Practitioner, Paediatrician and Diving Medicine

Dr. Kenia Warden
Suite 31, Pasadora Place, Smith Road
George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 939 6674 Fax: (345) 945 1464

Dr. Sook Lee Yin MB ChB BAO
Seven Mile Medical Clinic, Queens Court
West Bay Road, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 5600 Fax: (345) 949 5601
Email: dryin@sevenmileclinic.ky
Languages: English, Malay, Cantonese and Mandarin.