Flag

An official website of the United States government

Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory Level 2: Reissued after periodic review without changes. Read More...
Medical Assistance
Medical Emergency
Resources and Hospitals
Insurance Information
Evacuation and Air Ambulance
Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery
Other Health Information

What to do if you have a medical emergency in the Dominican Republic

If you need immediate emergency assistance, please contact emergency services:

  • Dial 9-1-1 from within the greater Santo Domingo area and other major metropolitan areas. 

If you have a medical emergency and you can get to a hospital without an ambulance, you should do so.

Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on these lists is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on these lists is provided directly by the local service providers.

The list of medical facilities and doctors is not meant to be a complete list of professional practitioners and medical centers/hospitals. The absence of a specific name(s) or facility(ies) is not a reflection of competence. Most practitioners in this list speak or at least have some knowledge of English.

The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. We do not pay medical bills. Payment of hospital and other expenses is the patient’s responsibility.

  • Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission.
  • Be aware that some hotels, resorts, etc. have exclusive agreements with medical providers, which have costs associated and may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention.
  • Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

Medical Resources and Hospitals in the Dominican Republic

The U.S. Embassy provides the below list of resources for U.S. citizens faced with medical emergencies while in the Dominican Republic.  A downloadable PDF version of this list, and other specialized services and medical providers, can be accessed here.

Bavaro / Punta Cana Hospitals:

Hospital IMG Punta Cana
809-285-6116
Carretera Miches. Avenida Real Sur esquina
23000

Hospiten Bávaro
809-686-1414
Carretera Verón – Punta Cana,106
Punta Cana

Priority Care and MediHealth
(Urgent care center and consultations with laboratory and x-ray capacity)
Accepts International medical insurance
809-795-9999
Downtown Business Center, Avenida Barceló Suite 203-204,
Bávaro

La Romana Hospitals:

Centro Medico Central Romana
809-532-3333
Batey #1, Central Romana

Laboratorio de Referencia
Centro del Este
809-813-5159

Puerto Plata Hospitals:

Centro Medico Bournigal
809-586-2342
Antera Mota 138

VA FOREIGN MEDICAL SERVICES (private clinics not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
809-320-0069
CALLE EL MORRO, ESQUINA PRESIDENTE
Vásquez #56
https://www.vafms.org/

Santiago Hospitals:

HOMS – Hospital
Metropolitano de Santiago
829-947-2222
Ext. 5090
Fax. 829-947-2130

Santo Domingo Hospitals:

CEDIMAT (Tricare Approved)
809-565-9989
International Rel: x2036; x1146; 809-723-5780
Fax: 809-565-7925
Plaza de la Salud
Ortega y Gasette
La Fe
GMoronta@cedimat.net; ViCruz@cedimat.net; jmorel@cedimat.net

Centro de Medicina Avanzada 
809-227-2235
Fax: 809-541-2303
953 Ave Abraham Lincoln
Piantini

Clinica Abreu
809-688-4411
Calle Beller 43 esq Ave Independencia
Gazcue

Clinica Corazones Unidos
809-567-4421
Fantino Falco #21
Naco

Hospiten (Tricare Approved)
809-541-3000
INTERNATIONAL: x2840 Lisette; x2841 Paola; x2842 Franchely
Alma Mater esq Bolivar
Esperilla
lisette.santana@hospiten.com
paola.borrome@hospiten.com
franchely.lugo@hospiten.com

Plaza de Salud
809-565-7477
International: Ext 1086
Plaza De La Salud
Ortega Y Gasett
La Fe
jogonzalez@hgps.org.do
crijo@hgps.org.do

UCE – University Hospital
809-221-0171
Maximo Gomez esq P. Henriquez Urena
Gazcue

Medical Insurance Information

The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, U.S. citizens should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Medical Evacuation and Air Ambulance Information

Medical treatment in the Dominican Republic’s private hospitals is generally reliable, though cost and quality vary substantially.

If you decide to contact a medical evacuation and/or air ambulance provider about transportation to the United States, please make sure to provide the exact location of the patient in the Dominican Republic as well as the final destination in the United States or elsewhere.

You must also make advance arrangements for a U.S. hospital to receive the individual being evacuated. Please be aware that the U.S. receiving doctor will wish to speak to the local doctor in the Dominican Republic treating the patient; the patient cannot be moved until the attending physician(s) allow the patient to be transferred; and an airline or medevac company must agree to facilitate the patient’s travel.

The arranger or the patient is responsible for all costs of medevac services. Costs are sometimes covered by private medical insurance or traveler’s insurance purchased before a trip. Payment in part or in full are often required in advance, so contacting insurance or other sources of funds should be undertaken early in the process as the costs are substantial. Some premium credit card companies (AmEx, Citibank, etc.) have emergency medical assistance available for certain members.

The least expensive way to medically evacuate a U.S. citizen is via a commercial air carrier. The patient, a family member, or doctor should contact the airline directly to explain the situation and ask what information they need.

If commercial carriers are not available or cannot provide the services required due to the urgency of travel or severity of the medical condition, you or the patient can contact an air ambulance service. A list of air ambulance services appears below.

Medical Evacuation Service Providers

Able American Jets
844-225-3538
http://www.ableamericanjets.com/worldwide-flight-services/air-ambulance-services/ info@ableamericanjets.com

 AEROambulancias (within the Dominican Republic only)
 809-826-4100 | 809-426-4666 | 829-933-4666 | Toll free from the interior: +1 (809)  200.4100
www.aeroambulancia.com www.helidosa.com

AeroCare
800-823-1911| 630-466-0900
https://www.aerocare.com/contact-us sales@aerocare.com

Air Ambulance 1
US # 1 (800) 424-9000
International # +1 (832) 900-9000
Email address: dispatch@airambulance1.com
Web address: www.airambulance1.com

AirMD / MedTransport Center
727-530-7972 | 800-282-6878 | 727-530-7972
http://www.airmd.net/

Mt.Sinai Medical Center International Services
305-674-2150 |1-877-674-2774
https://www.msmc.com/international-patient-center/ internationalcenter@msmc.com
This Miami hospital has an international patient department that includes air ambulance assistance.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital LifeFlight
Hospital Main Numbers: 305-666-6511 | Toll Free: 800-432-6837
https://www.nicklauschildrens.org/medical-services/pediatric-cardiology/programs/lifeflight
To reach LifeFlight or to request a transfer to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, please call 1-888- LIFEFLT [543-3358].

ProMed (Ground ambulance; Dominican Republic only)
809-412-5555
https://www.promed.com.do/
They operate in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana. Full payment required at the time of transport.

REVA Air Ambulance
809-710-4762 | 809-383-1957| 809-567-1101
airambulancelinkdr@gmail.com
Based in Ft. Lauderdale this air ambulance service has a contact in the Dominican Republic: Cristobal Perez-Siragusa, Edificio 13 Apt.230 Cond. Embajador, Ave. Sarasota, Bella Vista.

Sky Nurses, LLC
U.S. 561.666.6417 | Toll Free: 866.611.8434 | www.skynurses.com
assist@skynurses.com

Trinity Air Ambulance International
954-771-7911
Email: Contact@TrinityAirAmbulance.com
Web: www.TrinityAirAmbulance.com

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.  Many of these deaths were patients who underwent multiple body lifts and fat reduction procedures and were related to surgical complications from fat emboli or blood clotting issues like venous thromboembolism.  Due to the current pandemic, we recommend U.S. citizens postpone travel to the Dominican Republic for elective surgery as medical care is limited. Some hospitals are at or near full capacity, there is limited availability of ICU beds, and hospitalized patients may have an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19.

If you are considering travel to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery, be mindful of the following:

  • Have a medical evaluation from a U.S. doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.
  • Before travel, carefully research the doctor (e.g. qualifications, experience performing the surgery, complication rate) and credentials of the recovery facility you plan to use.
  • Share all health information (e.g. medical conditions, medications, allergies) with your doctor before your surgery.
  • Obtain international travel insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States and repatriation of remains.  For more information, see: https://www.cdc.gov/travel/page/insurance.
  • See a travel medicine professional in the United States at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to discuss healthy travel and to learn about specific risks related to your surgery and travel.  For more information on the risks of medical tourism, see: https://www.cdc.gov/travel/page/medical-tourism.
  • Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in the Dominican Republic.

Other Health Information for Travelers

Further information on health issues in the Dominican Republic, recommended vaccinations, and health precautions is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health page for the Dominican Republic.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, please consult the World Health Organization’s website.