Is healthcare free in Bermuda?

No, healthcare in Bermuda is not free. The system is largely private and runs on mandatory health insurance: all employed residents must be covered, with the cost typically split between employer and employee. Standard Health Benefit (SHB) is the baseline plan, covering hospital admissions at the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s facilities; most residents pair it with private supplemental insurance for outpatient, specialist, and overseas care (since complex cases often route to Boston or New York). Premiums vary widely: a single adult typically pays $250 to $600 a month for combined SHB and supplemental coverage, with employers often covering 50 percent. Out-of-pocket costs are common for prescriptions and specialist visits. Bermuda’s overall moderate lifestyle benchmark of $4,900 per person per month assumes standard health coverage in place. For the full cost picture, see our Bermuda cost of living page.