When your plan won't cover it, or the wait is too long
Public plans across the Caribbean cover a lot, but not everything. Dental, vision and cosmetic care are often left to you, and treatment abroad needs approval first. Here's how private care in Medellín works.
Medellín already treats Caribbean patients
The Caribbean made up about 27% of Medellín's international patients in the city health cluster's latest report (abceconomia.co). Governments are paying attention too:
Turks and Caicos
In February 2026 the Health Minister led a delegation to Colombia under the Treatment Abroad Programme, visiting hospitals in Bogotá, Cali and Medellín, including Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (TCI Government).
British Virgin Islands
A Chamber of Commerce trade mission with the government's Trade Department went to Bogotá in May 2026 and reported early progress toward patient referrals (Virgin Islands News Online).
Sint Maarten
In January 2026 the government said about 30 patients were still receiving care in Curaçao and Colombia (Government of Sint Maarten).
What public plans leave to you
Two examples, straight from the plans' own documents:
The Bahamas: NHI
Doesn't cover vision or dental care, covers only treatments that can be delivered through primary care, and doesn't cover Bahamians outside the country (NHI Bahamas).
Cayman Islands: CINICO
Overseas care must be approved and pre-certified, and an out-of-network facility means you pay 100% of the bill (civil servants plan). That plan excludes dental implants and cosmetic surgery that isn't medically necessary.
Cayman Islands: SHIC
Dental is limited to one exam and cleaning a year, at 80% up to $200 (SHIC plan).
Referred by your plan
If your plan approves treatment abroad, follow its process and use the facility it approves. We can't change a plan's decision or speed up an approval.
Paying yourself
For dental, vision, cosmetic and other care your plan won't cover, you can pay a Medellín clinic directly. Get a written, itemized quote first.
What dental work costs in Medellín
Three Medellín practices publish their dental implant prices in US dollars. The ranges are here, with sources at the bottom of the page.
For checkups, specialists and surgery, the fastest way to a real number is a written quote based on your records.
Published dental prices in Medellín
| Single implant with abutment and crown | $800–$2,100 |
|---|---|
| All-on-4, per arch | $9,000–$16,000 |
| Overdenture on 2 implants, per arch | $4,000–$5,500 |
USD prices published by three Medellín practices (the overdenture price comes from one), listed in the sources below. Bone grafts, extractions, sinus lifts and travel usually cost extra. Your real price depends on your X-rays.
Andy, who runs ColombiaMedical and Colombia Dentist, has been through dental implant treatment himself. Ask him about it on WhatsApp.
Get my free quoteHow a quote works
Send what you have
Records, test results, X-rays or a short description of what you need. WhatsApp is fine.
Get a written plan
A Medellín clinic reviews your details and sends an itemized plan and price.
Book a date
You choose the clinic and the date.
Keep the paperwork
Itemized invoices and records matter if you ever claim from a plan or insurer.
Questions
Will my national plan pay for care in Colombia?
Only through its own approval process. Bahamas NHI doesn't cover care outside the country (NHI Bahamas), and CINICO requires approval and pre-certification before any overseas care (CINICO).
Can I get dental implants covered?
Not under CINICO's civil servants plan, which excludes them (CINICO), and Bahamas NHI doesn't cover dental care.
Do the clinics speak English?
Some do. Tell us your preferred language and we'll ask before you book.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Ask the clinic when you get your quote. Payment options differ from clinic to clinic.
How does ColombiaMedical make money?
Clinics in our network may pay us a referral fee. Requesting a quote is free for you, with no obligation.
Get a free, itemized quote
Tell us where you live and what you need. A Medellín clinic will reply with questions or a written quote. It's free, with no obligation.
Prefer to message? WhatsApp Andy directly.
WhatsApp +1 614 607 1230Sources
- Turismo de salud en Medellín: pacientes internacionales, informe completo (abceconomia.co, Sept. 10, 2026), citing the Medellín Health City cluster's latest report
- Health delegation visits leading health care facilities in Colombia (Turks and Caicos Islands Government Press Office, Feb. 2026)
- BVI Chamber of Commerce, Trade Department secure early healthcare partnership progress during Colombia trade mission (Virgin Islands News Online, May 13, 2026)
- Minister Brug provides update on patients receiving medical care abroad (Government of Sint Maarten, Jan. 7, 2026)
- NHI Bahamas FAQs (National Health Insurance Bahamas)
- Plan document and summary plan description, civil servants plan (CINICO, Cayman Islands)
- SHIC plan document (CINICO, Cayman Islands, Apr. 12, 2024)
- Dental implants (Colombia Care Dental, Medellín), accessed Oct. 5, 2026
- Cheapest dental implants 2026: US vs Colombia (Smile Dental Center Group, May 25, 2026)
- Costo de implantes dentales en Colombia (Dra. Carolina Macareno, Medellín; page dated May 10, 2025, listing 2026 prices)
Last checked October 5, 2026. Rules and figures change; confirm anything that affects your money or care with the agency directly.