Cuba issues health insurance directive to visitors
(CNS): Cayman Airways has issued an advisory to its passengers travelling to Havana, Cuba, that, as of today 1 May, all visitors entering the country are now required by the Cuban Government to present evidence of holding valid medical insurance with coverage in Cuba. Travelers who do not meet this requirement can, upon entry in Cuba, take out a policy from Cuban insurance companies at the airport, available 24 hours a day, year-round. The cost is approximately US$3.40 per day, which covers medical expenses for sickness and accident up to approximately US$28,000 and Repatriation and Transportation up to about US$7,840.
ABS Trade have announced that the company has recently signed a contract with Assistur and can sell the insurance here. ABS says it is currently the only company in the Cayman Islands that can offer this and points out that while passengers can pay the insurance in Cuba on arrival, they are then required to go to an office to get the actual medical insurance card, taking away a portion of their vacation time.
According to the Cuban government’s website, over 80% of visitors to Cuba have insurance coverage from companies at their countries of origin covering their medical expenses in the country, but the website noted that US insurance companies do not provide coverage in the Cuban national territory. Upon demand after their arrival, travelers shall present a policy, insurance certificate or travelling assistance card valid for the time span they will stay in Cuba.
The website states that in case of any medical emergency, the Cuban health system guarantees the necessary medical care through a network of policlinics and hospitals, covering every corner of the island. Primary health care is provided in most of hotel facilities.
For more information visit the official Cuban Government website: http://embacu.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=17941 or www.gocuba.ca
Category: Health
INGENIOUS!
Well! All I can say is: "WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT"
As much as I like visiting Cuba for relaxation, I dont think I want to entrust my health to a country who is severely lacking in the variety of medications that most of the rest of the world has to offer.
For my part almost every time I visit Cuba I end up with some kind of stomach disorder, which most often is caused by unhygenic food.
Cuba knows a good thing when they see it. Most places in Europe also mandate that visitors have applicable insurance before they are allowed to visit there, I know that Germany, Austria, Italy, and France required travel insurace and this was 15 years ago.
I want to support business that offer services in Cuba – the pitiful treatment by the Americans of persecuting such businesses over the years annoys me. Where can I support such a business by buying cover that applies in Cuba?
This poses a question, why cant CINICO services be extended to use in CUBA,after all every day Caymanians are going there for treatment, and this and that.
On the other and if you have to pay $3.40 a day I would suggest you have all your checkups done in Cuba, yout teeth fixed, facial and tummy tuck, butt tuck, and hair implant. If not, then why would visitors pay the 3.40. per day for insurance.
One thing I am postive of, and that is, the Cuban Govrnment is very smart in knowing how to make money . I cant blame them. Doing the right thing to ease and please its people. Cuba dont need any hand outs nor will they compromise. They know exactly what time it is.
CNS: Twyla, I’ve just changed the typo.
Which also poses the question, "If Cuba is so darned great, why are so many so desperate to get out, and why don’t those who did get out not want to rush back rather than just harping on about how great it is"?
Oh, it may not be as great in somethings but it has culture, that as been lost elsewhere.. It can be very stressful and very very expensive to the visitor. However, that again depends on what you are looking for. Take a visit and you will go back in Columbus time frame if that would be apealing. But then there are some of us who like that time frame, (like me). Havana will give you the wrong impression of what is Cuba, there is much more than meets the eye, and it has its share of Good bad, and ugly like every where else. The Communist Government, No Problemo.
Dont befooled, I am not a refugee, I am from right yaw.