How to see a doctor without insurance in Puerto Rico
To see a doctor without insurance in Puerto Rico, you have real options: community health centers charge based on income, hospital emergency rooms must screen you in an emergency whether or not you can pay, and you can apply for Puerto Rico Medicaid. For common problems, you can also see a Puerto Rico-licensed doctor by video and pay directly.
Can we help by telehealth? Yes, we can help by telehealth.
Community health centers: pay based on income
Federally funded community health centers offer primary care, prenatal care, baby shots and referrals to specialists, among other services. What you pay depends on your income, and you don't need insurance.
There are centers in both urban and rural parts of Puerto Rico. Find one with the federal Find a Health Center tool, and call ahead to ask about hours and which income documents to bring.
Hospital ERs and CDTs
A federal law, EMTALA, requires hospitals that take part in Medicare and offer emergency services to give a medical screening exam to anyone who asks for care for a possible emergency, regardless of ability to pay, and to stabilize or transfer them if needed. That duty applies to hospital emergency departments.
CDTs (Centros de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento, local diagnostic and treatment centers) and urgent-care centers are another option for problems that can't wait, but their services, hours and payment rules vary. Call first. See ER, CDT or telehealth?.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don't wait because of cost.
Medicaid (Plan Vital) eligibility
Puerto Rico's Medicaid program, often called Plan Vital or "the government plan", is run through the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (ASES), with the Department of Health as the responsible agency. Eligibility depends mainly on household income.
To find out whether you qualify, apply through the Department of Health's Medicaid program. If you already have the government plan, use its network before paying out of pocket.
New to Puerto Rico? How coverage works here
Before you rely on a plan here, call the number on your card and ask which Puerto Rico doctors are in network and whether you must choose a primary care physician first. If you moved recently and your coverage hasn't started, a community health center or a self-pay visit can bridge the gap. If you have Medicare or a mainland plan, see US insurance and Medicare in Puerto Rico.
A doctor without insurance in Puerto Rico by video: what it covers
If you are physically in Puerto Rico, you can book an online doctor visit with Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a general practice physician licensed in Puerto Rico. You pay one fixed price, US$79, by card when you request the visit; see pricing. If the visit can't take place, you get a full refund.
By video we handle common problems (such as a UTI or the flu), follow-up of stable conditions and refills of non-controlled medicines. If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
A prescription, lab order or doctor's note from the visit has no extra charge; it is part of the visit. What the price doesn't cover is what others charge: the pharmacy for medicines, the lab for tests, and whoever sees you for in-person care. We don't handle emergencies by video.
HSA and FSA receipts
We don't bill insurance. On request we give you an itemized receipt (superbill) for the visit. Ask your HSA or FSA administrator, or your plan, whether they reimburse a telehealth visit you paid for yourself.
Video visit: US$79 · Pay by card · See the price and what is included
Before you book
- You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors and tourists are welcome).
- We see patients from 6 months old. Patients under 21: a parent or legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit.
- Real-time video only; we do not do phone-call visits.
- We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I see a doctor online in Puerto Rico without insurance?
- Yes. If you are physically in Puerto Rico, you can book a self-pay video visit with a Puerto Rico-licensed doctor and pay by card. No insurance is needed.
- Can an ER turn me away if I'm uninsured?
- Hospitals with emergency departments that take part in Medicare must screen you and stabilize an emergency condition regardless of ability to pay. They can bill you afterwards.
- Where can I get low-cost primary care in Puerto Rico?
- At a community health center, where what you pay depends on your income. Use the federal Find a Health Center tool to locate one.
Sources
- Community health centers (HealthCare.gov, CMS) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) (CMS) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Puerto Rico Medicaid program profile (Medicaid.gov, CMS) (accessed 2026-09-30)