Health Care Law at Sint Eustatius (Netherlands)
Caribbean Netherlands: health system ... Sint Eustatius, a special municipality of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, operates under a unique healthcare system that combines Dutch national policies with adaptations to local needs. Here's an overview of the healthcare framework and recent developments: (State Secretary Van Ooijen: Healthcare and youth care Caribbean Netherlands comparable to European Netherlands | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🏛️ Legal and Institutional Framework
As part of the Caribbean Netherlands, Sint Eustatius is governed by Dutch law, with healthcare policies tailored to the island's specific context. The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) in the Netherlands oversees healthcare in the Caribbean Netherlands, ensuring that services are comparable to those in the European Netherlands, albeit adapted to local circumstances . (State Secretary Van Ooijen: Healthcare and youth care Caribbean Netherlands comparable to European Netherlands | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🏥 Healthcare Services and Infrastructure
Healthcare services on Sint Eustatius are provided by the St. Eustatius Health Care Foundation (SEHCF), which operates the local hospital and various care facilities. Given the island's small population and limited resources, many specialized medical services are accessed off-island, with costs covered through the BES Health Insurance Entitlements Regulation (RazBES) . (St. Eustatius Takes Key Step Towards Integrated Care and Living Centre | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, Changes to the Health Insurance Entitlements Package for the Caribbean Netherlands as of 1 January 2025 | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
💳 Health Insurance and Coverage
Residents of Sint Eustatius are covered under the BES health insurance system, which provides universal coverage for essential healthcare services. Recent updates to the health insurance benefits, effective from 1 January 2025, include: (The Caribbean Netherlands: health system review 2024, Changes to Health Insurance Benefits for Statia Starting 1 January 2025 | News item | St. Eustatius)
Exercise Therapy for COPD: Full coverage with no session limit, subject to prior approval. (Changes to the Health Insurance Entitlements Package for the Caribbean Netherlands as of 1 January 2025 | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
Exercise Therapy for Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis: Full coverage for individuals with significant functional limitations, with prior approval. (Changes to the Health Insurance Entitlements Package for the Caribbean Netherlands as of 1 January 2025 | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
Geriatric Rehabilitation Care: Coverage for older individuals requiring specialized rehabilitation, based on a specialist's assessment. (Changes to Health Insurance Benefits for Statia Starting 1 January 2025 | News item | St. Eustatius)
Second Companion for Medical Transfers: Policyholders aged 18 and older in terminal or acute life-threatening situations may be entitled to a second companion during medical transfers, with prior approval . (Changes to the Health Insurance Entitlements Package for the Caribbean Netherlands as of 1 January 2025 | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🏗️ Healthcare Infrastructure Developments
A significant initiative to enhance healthcare infrastructure is the development of the Integrated Care and Living Centre. In November 2024, a contract was signed to commence the first phase of this project, aiming to consolidate preventive, medical, and geriatric care in one location. The center is expected to be completed within 3 to 5 years and is a collaborative effort involving local healthcare providers and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport . (St. Eustatius Takes Key Step Towards Integrated Care and Living Centre | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
🆔 Health Care Card Implementation
To streamline access to emergency medical care abroad, a health care card system was introduced on Sint Eustatius in July 2024. This card serves as proof of insurance for urgent medical treatments that cannot be postponed. It also facilitates access to pharmacies and laboratories on the island. Residents with a minimum of two years of insurance coverage are eligible to receive the card, which is valid for 2 to 5 years . (Residents of St. Eustatius will receive their health care card starting July 8th | News item | Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)
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