Rowena Buring

Many Dominican Republic residents can be eligible for treatment abroad under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Unfortunately this right is not available to everyone. If you have an existing condition then as per HIPAA your health insurance will automatically be terminated upon arrival in the Dominican Republic unless you have a valid visa. In most cases a Dominican Republic travelers health affidavit will indicate that you will still have access to healthcare within the Dominican Republic should you need it.

One of the most important requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA), is that any healthcare appointments or hospital stays must be covered by the insurance. In most instances this will cover emergency medical care. It may also cover prescription medication and non-medical services such as psychotherapy. Ask your insurance company before you travel to the Dominican Republic if your medication and appointments are covered. Make sure you read all the fine print so you are aware of what is and is not covered. There are many options available from major international insurance companies.

Another important requirement of the HIPAA is that a health care practitioner shall be contacted twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This requirement is only applicable if you are a patient on a private list of private health care providers. Private medical practitioners are not recognized by the Dominican Republic government. Therefore, all medication and medical treatment must be provided through the Dominican Republic approved HMO or PO system. If you do not adhere to this requirement then your medical insurance will be terminated upon arrival and you will have to pay for alternative health care.

After you have received all documentation required to travel to Dominican Republic, it's a good idea to complete the visa paperwork. There are three main sources from which you can obtain a visa, they are the Dominican Republic government, the embassies of the country of your origin and US consulates. You can also obtain a visa from the nearest airport as long as the passport that you hold has been validated by the Passport Office. The process for obtaining a visa