Expert: Drew Wilmoth - 6/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello, my grandfather is moving back to George town after living in NY for over 50yrs and he has diabetes. Is there an easy way for him to get his insulin and diabetic supplies with out having to leave the island? Will he be able to transfer his medical history over easy or is the process hard? I guess my real questions are how is diabetes handled in the Cayman Islands and if you are a diabetic how do you go about getting medical care?

ANSWER: The Cayman Islands has a comparatively high incidence of diabetes. The government health clinics and private doctors are well versed in diabetes care. Insulin and diabetes care items are routinely available in local pharmacies.

Your grandfather should ask his physician in Cayman to request copies of relevant medical records from his doctor in the States.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Will he be able to use his medicaid insurance to pay for medical services in Cayman or will most of the cost be out of pocket?

Answer
Medicare and Medicaid are government programs in the United States and do not provide coverage for medical care in the Cayman Islands, even if it is an emergency.

The CNN article at the link below provides a bit more detail.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/ADVISOR/05/15/health.coverage/index.html

If your grandfather takes up employment in the Cayman Islands then his employer will be required by law to provide health insurance for him. He may be required to pay up to half of the insurance premium.

Assuming he does not take up employment, he may be eligible for insurance with CINICO, the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company. All persons age 60 or older who reside in the Cayman Islands are eligible for coverage. Some other health insurers in Cayman also offer policies to the elderly.

See www.cinico.ky

Currently premiums are about CI$192 per month for the elderly for coverage under the Standard Health Insurance Contract 1 (SHIC1). The Standard Health Insurance Contract 2 (SHIC2) (which provides a higher level of coverage) is about CI$363 per month.

If he is unable to afford the health insurance premiums with CINICO and he is a citizen of the Cayman Islands then he can be evaluated for subsidized medical care. The Department of Children and Family Services carries out these evaluations.

He will be responsible for deductibles and copayments for care which is not fully covered under by health insurance. The SHIC1 plan covers 80% of insulin expenses for diabetics up to CI$25,000 per year. SHIC2 covers 80% of insulin expenses for diabetics up to CI$100,000 per year.

There is a limit of CI$100,000 per year for all medical care under the SHIC1 or SHIC 2 plans and a lifetime maximum of CI$1,000,000. This limit can easily be approached or exceeded with care over a number of years. He would be responsible for expenses that exceed his yearly or lifetime limits. Some private insurers may have higher limits.