🇦🇸 American Samoa Healthcare Guide
American Samoa's healthcare relies on LBJ Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago — a US-affiliated facility handling emergency, maternity, and basic inpatient care. Complex cases are flown to Hawaii or the US mainland; US Medicare and most US insurance plans operate locally.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 911
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $100 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center (LBJ) is American Samoa's only hospital — a US-funded territorial facility with A&E, maternity, dialysis, basic surgery, and outpatient clinics for the territory's ~50,000 residents. Smaller community health centres operate in outlying villages on Tutuila and the Manu'a Islands.
For complex care that exceeds LBJ's capacity — advanced oncology, complex cardiac surgery, transplant, severe trauma — patients are typically flown to Tripler Army Medical Center or Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Federal funding supports much of the medevac cost for residents; visitors must rely on travel insurance.
US Medicare is accepted and most US private insurance plans operate locally with their existing networks. UK GHIC, EU EHIC, and Pacific reciprocal arrangements are NOT accepted — non-US visitors should plan accordingly. Tutuila is the only practical access point; the Manu'a Islands are reached only by domestic flights or boats.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Routine vaccines up to date
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid (for stays >2 weeks)
Prescriptions and pharmacies
US prescribing rules apply. Most US prescriptions are recognised locally; non-US prescriptions usually require a US-licensed clinician's re-issue. Pharmacies are reasonably stocked but specialty drugs may need to be flown in.
Controlled substances follow US Schedule rules. Opioids, ADHD stimulants, and benzodiazepines need a doctor's letter and original packaging on entry.