Calce: Dorado has a goal to establish continuity of medical care with locals who frequently travel between Orlando, Florida and Puerto Rico.
U.S. citizens seeking high-quality healthcare at lower costs
Whether you are visiting on business or pleasure, we hope you get to let things unfold on Not every vacation is all sun, sand, and relaxation. What if travelling abroad to Puerto Rico is your opportunity to finally do that medical procedure you have been considering. Or an unexpected health emergency while vacationing has led you to seek care at a local hospital or clinic.
Either way, you are in good hands.
Puerto Rico is emerging as a popular destination for medical tourism since it offers the advantages of no passport requirement for U.S. citizens, Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, and a strong English-speaking, highly trained medical community.
So, whether you are visiting by choice or circumstance, you can trust that your health is in expert hands.
Dental care on the go
Dr. Ignacio Baez from San Juan Dental Clinic has seen “a positive response” regarding the full range of services he offers at his dental office in Santurce, where he has been practicing for the past year.
“We’ve been contacted by many tourists who arrive on the island and find themselves with a dental issue,” Baez explained. At his practice, he added, they cover “every branch of dentistry.”
Recently, he treated a tourist who had complications with her braces while vacationing in Puerto Rico. “We provided care and she left feeling pleased with how fast and easy it was to get help at our office,” he said.
His clinic, located on Juan Ponce de Leon Avenue in San Juan, has welcomed patients from the United States, Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and other countries.
“Because these are emergency situations, tourist medical plans often don’t cover the cost of treatment,” he noted. “However, patients can pay out of pocket, and we provide a detailed invoice with dental codes so they can file a claim with their insurance provider, if applicable,” Baez added.
The most common cases they treat, he said, involve vacationers who suffer falls that lead to dental fractures, often with nerve involvement.
“In those cases, we can perform a root canal and rebuild the tooth. We usually avoid long-term cosmetic procedures like crowns or ceramic work, since those require a dental lab and visitors typically do not stay long enough for that process,” he explained.
Laying the groundwork
Puerto Rico’s Medical Tourism Law dates to 2010. At that time, a public policy was established to promote and develop this industry on the island. The law created economic incentives for eligible businesses certified as part of the medical tourism sector.
According to the law patients residing in the United States do not need a visa to travel to Puerto Rico for medical care and treatment. Similarly, some residents of European and Western countries are also exempt from visa requirements when seeking healthcare services on the island.
“Puerto Rico offers healthcare services that meet the same quality and compliance standards as those in the United States, but at a significantly lower cost, estimated to be between 50% and 70% less,” the statute emphasized.
More recently the Department of Economic Development and Commerce established in June 2023, the regulations for the Medical Tourism Office Program.
Lower costs compared to the U.S., state-of-the-art hospital facilities, bilingual licensed and certified healthcare professionals, and Puerto Rico’s strategic location were among the key factors identified as enablers of the island’s growing medical tourism industry.
This year three legislative bills – Senate Bills 539, 540 and 541 – were introduced to establish tax and economic benefits as well as a collaboration with the government for healthcare providers who treat international patients under the medical tourism framework.
A call for growth
Initially, more than a dozen hospitals across the island had expressed interest in incorporating medical tourism into their services, noted Jaime Pla, CEO of the Puerto Rico Hospital Association. However, the pandemic and certain requirements for implementation slowed down the momentum, he said.
Still, Pla pointed out that local orthopedic and dental services have successfully entered this global industry, among other clinical care. He also mentioned growing interest from the Dominican Republic in referring patients to Puerto Rico.
He encouraged tourists to call 9-1-1 in the event of a medical emergency or to follow the guidance of hotel staff or their hosts regarding where to seek medical care during their stay on the island.
Another hospital that has a goal to establish continuity of medical care with locals who frequently travel between Orlando, Florida and Puerto Rico is the health system of Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Dorado.
Anyone visiting the Orlando-area from Puerto Rico can see a doctor with available same-day appointments.
Medical specialties and services at Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health – Dorado include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular health, endocrinology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, Hepato-Biliary Surgery, Hematology Oncology, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, dermatology, among others.
In October 2022, Orlando Health formed a partnership with Doctors’ Center Hospital and then they formed an agreement to work on four more hospitals in Puerto Rico: Doctors’ Center Hospital San Juan, Doctors’ Center Hospital Bayamon, Doctors’ Center Hospital Manati and Doctors’ Center Hospital San Fernando de La Carolina.
More than 500 partnered physicians, representing 35 medical specialties, have privileges across the Doctors’ Center Hospital Orlando Health system, which employs 2,500 team members.
Metro Pavia Health System is a network of hospitals in Puerto Rico that promotes itself as certified in medical tourism by the Medical Tourism Association and the Puerto Rico Medical Tourism Corporation. In addition, its facilities are accredited by the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that certifies hospitals and other healthcare institutions in the United States, a certification also held by most healthcare facilities on the island, ensuring they are following established standards.
The concept of medical tourism in Puerto Rico has a lot to offer,” said Dr. Natalio Debbs.
The plastic surgeon, known not only for his aesthetic and reconstructive procedures but also for his volunteer work helping children with facial deformities and burn injuries, acknowledged the island’s strong potential in this growing industry.
Beyond the high-quality medical care available in Puerto Rico, he highlighted the shared language and cultural similarities with other Caribbean nations as key advantages in attracting international patients.
“We have the training, the skilled professionals, and a healthcare system on par with any in the United States. But we need to make sure we’re offering these services at a fair value,” he noted. “It’s essential to integrate everyone involved: employees, pharmacies, labs, hospitals. There’s still room to grow.”
Dr. Carlos Diaz Velez, president of the Colegio de Medicos Cirujanos de Puerto Rico, agreed that one of the key appeals of medical tourism is the lower cost of healthcare services on the island compared to the U.S. mainland.
He also echoed the view that sharing a common language and cultural similarities with other Caribbean nations helps promote these services in Puerto Rico.
“It should be encouraged even more,” he stated.
If you find yourself in Puerto Rico and experience an accident or emergency that requires medical assistance, here are the steps you should consider taking.
- Call 911:
If it’s an emergency, dial 911 to request medical or police assistance. - Provide Information:
When calling 911, clearly state your location, the type of emergency, and the condition of the person involved. - Stay Calm:
Try to remain calm and give the information clearly and concisely. - Cooperate with Emergency Personnel:
Follow the instructions of medical and emergency response teams. - Notify Authorities:
If the incident involves others, inform law enforcement authorities about the situation. - Seek Medical Assistance:
Once at the hospital, inform the front desk that you are a tourist and that you will need assistance. - Check Your Travel Insurance:
If you have travel insurance, contact your provider to verify your coverage for the medical emergency or accident. - Contact Your Embassy or Consulate:
If you’re a foreign visitor, reach out to your embassy or consulate for additional support. - Stay Informed:
Follow instructions from local authorities and stay updated through press releases and official announcements if, when on the island, there’s a local or national emergency.
Additional Considerations:
- Travel Insurance:
If you have health insurance, gather all related documentation, including checking whether it covers medical emergencies and accidents, and how to proceed in such cases. - Documentation:
Carry a copy of your passport, visa (if applicable), and other important documents. - Contact Information:
Keep local emergency numbers and the contact information for your insurer and embassy/consulate easily accessible. - Medical Assistance:
Seek care at a nearby health center or hospital, and make sure you know how to access it. - Translation Support:
If you don’t speak Spanish, ask for help translating information into English or your native language.
