Dominican Republic
Capital Santo Domingo
The people who know this process cold
Facilitators, cross-border advisors, and community groups.
Not yet sourced
What the signals say about care
The normalized healthcare index, plus which programs grant local-system access.
How the system works
The public system (SENASA) is funded by contributions and covers residents, supplemented by a substantial private-hospital sector. Facilities concentrate heavily in urban centers like Santo Domingo; the WHO notes improving access but real infrastructure gaps. The Lancet healthcare-access index rates the DR mid-pack (49).
What expats actually use
Most expats pay out of pocket or carry private insurance for their day-to-day care, with low-cost consultations and cheap prescriptions. Registering a cédula (national ID) after residency unlocks public SENASA access.
Quality and access
Urban private care is good, but public specialist waits can run one to four weeks and rural areas lack facilities. Expats consistently praise Cedimat in Santo Domingo; quality falls off sharply away from the major cities.
The private market
Private clinics such as Hospiten, some staffed by US-trained doctors, handle most expat care, with affordable dental and vision. International policies that include medical evacuation are common for anyone outside the main urban hospitals.
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