Most travel blogs say:
“Hospitals in Bali are good.”
That’s not enough information.
If you’re living here, staying long-term, or even visiting for a month, you should understand how the system really works.
Because Bali is paradise — until you need emergency care.
Minor Illness? No Big Problem
For things like:
• Food poisoning
• Fever
• Mild infections
• Dehydration
• Minor injuries
You’ll usually be fine.
There are many:
• Local clinics
• International clinics
• On-call doctors
• Telemedicine options
Costs are relatively low compared to Western countries.
Example estimates:
• Doctor visit: 300,000–800,000 IDR
• IV drip treatment: 800,000–1.5 million IDR
Clinics in tourist areas are experienced with foreigners.
Serious Accident or Emergency?
This is where things change.
If you have:
• Major motorbike accident
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Severe infection
• Heart problems
You’ll likely be taken to one of Bali’s larger hospitals.
The most internationally known hospital in Bali is:
BIMC Hospital
Other larger private hospitals include:
Siloam Hospitals
Kasih Ibu Hospital
These hospitals are modern — but they are private.
And private means: payment first.
Upfront Payment Is Normal
If you don’t have insurance confirmation:
Hospitals can require large deposits before treatment.
For example:
• Surgery deposit: 30–100+ million IDR
• ICU deposit: even higher
Credit card required.
If your insurance provider guarantees payment quickly, it’s smoother.
If not, things get stressful.
What If You Don’t Have Insurance?
You will still receive emergency care.
But:
• You may not be discharged until payment is settled
• Costs can escalate quickly
• Medical evacuation becomes very expensive
A serious accident without insurance can cost more than an entire year living in Bali.
Medical Evacuation
If your case is very serious, doctors may recommend evacuation to:
• Singapore
• Australia
• Jakarta
Medical evacuation can cost:
• $15,000 – $50,000+ depending on distance and equipment
This is why proper travel or expat insurance is critical.
Public vs Private Hospitals
Public hospitals exist.
They are cheaper.
But:
• English-speaking staff may be limited
• Facilities can be basic
• Waiting times longer
Most foreigners choose private hospitals for serious care.
What About Smaller Areas?
Outside Denpasar, Kuta, and main tourist zones:
• Facilities are more limited
• Ambulance response time can vary
• Some islands (like Nusa Penida) have very basic care
Serious cases are often transferred to Denpasar.
Location matters more than people realise.
The Insurance Reality
Here’s what many tourists don’t know:
Insurance companies check:
• Were you driving legally?
• Did you have a proper motorcycle license?
• Were you wearing a helmet?
• Was alcohol involved?
If not — they can deny coverage.
This is extremely common in scooter accidents.
How Safe Is Bali Healthcare Overall?
For Southeast Asia:
Bali’s private hospitals are decent.
But they are not Germany, Australia, or Singapore level for complex cases.
For routine and moderate emergencies — you’re fine.
For very serious trauma — evacuation may be required.
The Smart Approach
If you’re staying more than a few weeks:
• Get solid travel or expat insurance
• Confirm motorcycle coverage
• Save emergency numbers
• Know which hospital is closest to you
• Avoid unnecessary risk (especially drunk driving scooters)
It sounds dramatic — until something happens.
Final Reality Check
Getting seriously sick in Bali is manageable.
Getting seriously sick without insurance in Bali is financially dangerous.
Most people never need emergency care.
But if you do — you’ll be very grateful you prepared properly.
