I was recently in Panama asking about Health insurance.I talked to one fellow and he was insured thru Blue Cross for $48/mo.Might be worth checking out. Most of the other people I talked to didn't have insurance because of the low cost treatment

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Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

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I have not had any luck finding an affordable policy in Panama, but I would say the cost IS MORE in the US! I too have what they might call a pre-existing condition. I had a brain tumor 11 years ago, of which I am not totally free of with no ongoing treatment or drugs. I however seem to scare insurance companies. I applied with 2 differet agents. With Kenvin Bradley I waited about 9 months after applying, pre-paying one years premium and then waiting and continualy nagging them for information - I never did hear a word back from them and did not get any insurance (my credit card was never charged either). Last year I again spent a lot of time with an independant woman agent. I wanted a global policy that would cover me if I was back in the US, in Panama where I will spend most of my time, or would cover me if I was traveling elsewhere. That was not only expensive, but the whole pre-existing thing came up and they seemed very resistant to wanting to cover me at all. I should add I am 55, non-smoking, a vegetarian, exercise routinely, owning only a bike as transportation! I am NOT interested in a BC/BS policy based on American greed! I just wrote an article for my local paper about the high cost of health care in America with the solution - PANAMA! Johns Hopkins is located one block from our condo in Panama City.
For now we just pay for medical procedures out of our own pocket in Panama. I just had skin cancer surgically removed at an excellant hospital clinic in Punta Paitilla. What would have cost me $15,000 or more in the U.S. cost me $200 there. My doctor there spoke perfect English, in fact he went to school at FSU! I continue to look for insurance in Panama.

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Hi panamaislandgirl,
Thanks for replying to our health care questions! This whole health care search has been very time consuming, and it's nice to know the out-of-pocket costs really ARE that much less in Panama. We're older than you are (62 & 63), and we had come to the conclusion that we'll have to have Medicare (when we become 65) in addition to a global policy, just to cover the pre-existing conditions. We did get a quote from Kevin Bradley for a BUPA policy. (You can see I read some of your other posts and visited your site. Your condo looks lovely, btw. And your land on the Atlantic sounds wonderful!)
You also mentioned that you knew a great realtor. Does the person work out of the city, too, in the more temperate areas? And with rentals? If so, I'd love his or her name. (We intend to rent for at least 6months initially, to make sure it's the location we want, etc.)
Hope you don't mind all the questions. We've done a lot of reading but as I've said before, it's no substitute for someone who's been there!
Thanks again - Deb

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We spend part of the year in Panama and it is great. You can obtain health insurance with a hospital in David for about $800 a year iincluding the cancer rider. We have not had to use it, but many here have and they seem very happy with the care. We also tried to get insurance with the local plans (other than the hosital in David)however pre-existing conditions made it really impossible. I have well controlled mildly high blood pressure and they carved out anything that had to do with the heart because of that. However, healthcare in general is very inexpensive so for the most part, it is less than the deductible you would pay in the states. dont let this issue keep you from pursuing your dream!

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We may be able to offer a good, better or best alternative: our new Group Policy from BUPA Latinamerica.
Featured today in www.panama-guide.com

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Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

with the insurance you purchase from the David Hospital...does it cover pre existing conditions?

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judyp,
I can't answer for sure but every policy we've seen does not seem to cover pre-existing conditions. Some say they MAY pick them up after a period of from 2 to 5 years, but some never will, as I understand it. And you won't know beforehand. (I think it also depends on what the conditions are.)
Here are links to 2 plans for local, Panama-only coverage. The first one may be the policy in David that was mentioned by "goingplaces":
http://www.healthinsuranceinpanama.com/santa-fe-health-insurance-plan-panama-for-retirees-pensionados/
AND http://isweb.iseguros.com/bcbs/index.php?elemid=2&parentid=1. This one is Blue Cross Panama. It opens in Spanish, but if you click on any on the blue boxes across the top (ie. Medired 100, etc.), the drop-down box will give you a chance to pick "Ingles." You can spend hours reading them all! But if you should find one rhat DOES accept pre-exist. conds., PLEASE post it and lmk!! We're still looking for one...
Deb747

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Deb7,
I see one of your main concerns is good medical service that will take pre existing conditions.

I know most insurance companies will not accept pre-existing no matter the country and if they do, you would not be able to afford the cost for the limited service they may offer for the existing conditions they are accepting.

You don't mention your country of origin but if its USA I would like to remind you that all plans are NOW required to accept any pre-existing conditions by LAW!

Without getting involved in political or personal opinions I would like to remind you of a very old saying that says" YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR". Lets look at reality and not be blinded by personal opinions or sale pitches looking for financial gains. Medicine surely its cheaper in Panama but you get third world medicine. I know they are nice and loving but 3rd world care regardless. Cost is why many are self insured but God help you if you get a fulminating heart attack, a stroke or if you need an organ transplant or Retina welding as practiced in the cutting edge Miami eye institute where your eyesight is saved. If you get prostate cancer you may get chemo or radiation with the horrible after effects and that is all they can offer, yet unknowingly to most in the cutting edge Mayo Clinic they have a breakthrough treatment that destroys prostate tumors while leaving all surrounding tissue intact. And we can go on and on on various breakthrough treatments that are only available in top research hospitals in the US. The prices are diferent but certainly are the results! Now this is REALITY no matter where in the world you decide to live. Haiti has an even cheaper medical service than Panama. So if health is your concern you better think it over twice.
You mention that everything you have read on Panama is good. Now that sounds like selective reading and or listening. Read my prior posting on this forum "Panama the ultimate paradise"in there is a link that discusses medicine in Panama and the lack of doctors.

By the way there is a Natural dr in the US Dr Frank Shallenberger that controls blood pressure without any drugs just using natural medicine. He is the Medical director on the cutting edge center for complimentary Medicine in Nevada.

I like Panama and have been there various times and will continue to do so for short periods but have chosen to live where I can have cutting edge first world medicine and emergency help within a short distance and time.

Good luck!

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It is not yet the law in the US that pre existing conditions must be excepted, if the Republicans have their way it may not happen. Please, this is not a political statement, we are very familiar with this, we are going through it as this is written.

Bill

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Colorado,
you may be half right but to be fair here are some excerpts Taken from an newspaper explanation of the bill and a supplementary PCIP to carry people with pre-existing till 2014 when it becomes mandatory. That is the law today. But you are right Congress can change anything.

EXCERPTS:

Health care reform bill 101: rules for preexisting conditions
The health care reform bill outlaws denial of insurance to those with preexisting conditions. But this change won’t take full effect till 2014.
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)
In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the
Affordable Care Act

—the new health law. The law creates a new program – the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan -- to make health coverage available to you if you have been denied health insurance by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.
Read about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP); then use the PCIP Map to learn more about how the program works in your state.

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Colorado,
you may be half right but to be fair here are some excerpts Taken from an newspaper explanation of the bill and a supplementary PCIP to carry people with pre-existing till 2014 when it becomes mandatory. That is the law today. But you are right Congress can change anything.

EXCERPTS:

Health care reform bill 101: rules for preexisting conditions
The health care reform bill outlaws denial of insurance to those with preexisting conditions. But this change won’t take full effect till 2014.
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)
In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the
Affordable Care Act

—the new health law. The law creates a new program – the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan -- to make health coverage available to you if you have been denied health insurance by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.
Read about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP); then use the PCIP Map to learn more about how the program works in your state.

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Kimbo47 & Coloradobill,
Been meaning to answer you both for some time about health insurance. I think you're both right: coverage is not required until 2014 and there IS the special program for uninsured people. (We watched an AARP webinar on it, and you may be able to get more info on their site.)You have to have been w/out ins. for at least 6 months and not able to get it elsewhere, and it is not cheap! (But no more expensive than we've found international policies to be!) Depending on where you live, the program is either administered by your state or the fed. gov't.
Also, for Coloradobill, our state Blue Cross has a program called "Special Care" which has basic insurance for people who have lost a job or, I think, can't get it elsewhere. You might try your state and see if it has anything like that.
Kimbo47, I think the email you're referring to re "selective listening" on our part was written by my husband, who was using a little bit of hyperbole there! What he should probably have said was that the "preponderance" of info on Panama has been good. We both know there is no Utopia in this world, and have heard both bad and good about Panama. As a matter of fact, we've read the "good, bad & ugly" blog you mentioned, but I find it interesting that the man who writes it has still chosen to live (and invest) in Panama. So, on balance, he must think it deserves a good rating!
We're still in the process of checking things out, so a visit there is in our near future. We realize the best health care in the world is in the US. (International Living just voted it the best place to live, period.) I have to confess I'd never heard Panama health care described as "3rd World" until you did, but we'll be keeping an open mind!
Deb 747

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Deb747,
I was just addressing your concern of not finding any country where the medical plans would accept pre-existing conditions and I see you have been made aware that that country is the USA, at least for now.

It had nothing to do with Panama since to live there is a personal choice but everyone needs to know the reality of the good and the bad to make their own informed choice.

As far as the good , bad & ugly blog his living in Panama just adds credibility to his blog.

As far as Panama health being third world. Is not the health its the whole country same as most of Latin America. Another reality which you need to understand what it means.

Good luck on your hunt but make sure whatever choice you make that it fits your needs and life style and above all improves your quality of life.
Be honest with yourself. And finally once you make the decision rent and spend a year to pass the honeymoon period before you buy.

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Kimbo47,
Absolutely, I agree renting initially is the way to go no matter what country you're talking about. You need to make sure you still love it AFTER the rose-colored glasses come off!
Our potential move would be made mainly to achieve that better quality of life, a slower and less stressful pace, and a "new adventure." Life is short, etc...
Deb747

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Deb747,
its good to hear you are aware of the honeymoon period.
Adventure I would agree but a better quality of life going from a 1st world country to a 3rd world?
You need to think that over carefully and be honest with yourself.
Power outages, water quality, medical advancement, etc and leaving friends and family behind, Language barrier. ????
Don't be blinded by paradise stories by others. It may not be for you.
As far as pace and stress you control your own pace and stress level no matter where you are. I would say if anything your stress level will increase with the language barrier, lack of items you are used to have, convenience of many supermarkets everywhere etc and above all a limited medical care which is something you say is important to you. Just be aware that clinics are very small dr practices with very limited services. They are not hospitals! You can't run away from problems or reality.
Good luck!

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Kimbo - Aware of all that, thanks... Deb

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For what it is worth, then I am off this subject for now. We have been closing down a whole sale coffee company for 11/2 years, the first of 300 people to lose their jobs were able to use COBRA but when we got down to small co. status COBRA was no longer available. We have been working with the remaining people to help them get insurance, one pearson with high blood pressure and high colesterol was refused, we were able to help him get a very expensive policy, high deductable, high co-pay that excluded any thing related to high blood presure or high colesterol. It really seemed useless to me. Another person with a new baby was able to get help through the state after being unemployed 6 months but there is a time limit on that. There are many examples that would take to long to explain, this has consumed most of our time for months. The insurance companies can and do deny coveage and if you get insurance they can and do deny coverage of pre-existing conditions.
This is the first time I have had to deal with insurance and it is very frustrating, if the new law is put in to practice it will cost all of us more money but is probably the thing to do. If other people are having better luck I am happy for you, anyway, the subject is insurance in Panama.

Just my pennys worth.

Bill

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Bill,

I'm so sorry to hear of your situation, and I can't imagine the frustration you're going through. I misunderstood and thought you were looking for insurance for yourselves as individuals. Didn't mean to stick my nose in it!!
Good luck...

Deb

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Deb,
OH MY GOSH, I did not mean to sound like someone was being nosey, we are just very frustrated because we care for these people and helping them is not an option. The economy is causing problems for some people that seems insurmountable, some with children are moving in with their parents, it is very sad and a bit scary. Anyway, the thread started out looking for information in Panama, I should not have put my pennys forth in.

I am over 70, from what I have read on this and other forums I am going to have to live very carefully when I get to Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador or where ever we move to but while I still have insurance I am going skiing as soon as I finish reading these forums.

Bill

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Bill,
Now I MAY be sticking my nose in it, but (to save money) have you ever thought about keeping Medicare when you move and coming back to the states periodically for check-ups or whenever necessary? We're not quite Medicare age (63 now) but it's an idea we've had. Because no matter what anyone says, international policies overseas are not cheap! (Pre-existing conditions don't seem to be covered by any company, or some local co's. won't take you at all because of age exclusions.) You don't need a physical residence in the US to keep Medicare, just a street address, which you can get if you use one of those mail forwarding services. It only covers emergencies in a foreign country, so we need to check further to find out just WHAT emergencies - but it's just a thought...
We're like you; going to need to save our pennies wherever we end up!
Deb

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debt747,
very wise and realistic advise. I plan to do just that even though I have decided to buy in Ecuador.

Lets face it we will be needing medical care that is just not available in Panama or Latin America in general. Just this morning they interviewed a cutting edge doctor with a procedure to install anew piloric valve in your stomach to end the debilitating disease called Gerd which has its sufferers taking drugs with dangerous side effects.

One last thought about saving your pennies. If unfortunately you end up in a nursing home you will eat up all your savings leaving your spouse indigent. I had the experience to see a friends mother have all her nursing home paid by medicare and then when she returned home she had FREE meals on wheels, nursing and cleaning care, church servicest, Physical therapy and daily calls to check up on her all through the federal government and/or state programs. And by the way one of the best research hospitals in the country Jackson Memorial in Florida gives free medical care to the indigent which is quite different from a public clinic in Panama. Make sure you visit one of these while there. Its an eye opening experience into your future there. And of course it gets worse the further away you go from a major city. This is also the same througout Latin America.
Just my two cents.

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Coloradobill,
God bless you for helping those people.
ONe heads up in Latin America in general you are not accepted in any medical plan once you are
70 or over. Check it out in Panama and make sure you get the answer from the actual company and in writing.

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My thoughts are not worth 2 cents so I will stick with a penny. Medicare has no age limit or pre-existing so it is the natural choice to stay with it and pay cash in the country we settle in but something could happen for us to loose medicare.

Skiing was great yesterday and had no need to use my insurance, great day. Skiing helps to clear the cobb webs from the brain because when skiing you can't think about anything else and that is something very necessary right now.

Good luck in Ecuador, that is our first choice but we have a lot to think about before making the decision.

Bill

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Cbill,
good for you! Keep skiing and enjoying life that will keep you young. I also chose Ecuador its cheaper by a lot, people are nice and the beaches are WHITE sand as opposed to mostly black sand iin Panama.
Also there is beautiful higway all along the coast that makes access to the beaches a breeze while in Panama there are many beaches where you need to travel dirt roads to get there.

You need to come to these countries with money to live comfortable. Salaries are very low as little as $350/mo for median salary that is why its cheaper for the expats with money.

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What is your contact info. Phone number and email?
Where are you located in Panama - in Panama city?
I would like to discuss health insurance.
Chris

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Hi Deb -
Sorry for the delay in responding. If you contact me at panamadreamin@gmail.com
I can give you further info on my Realtor - the only person I trust totally.
Chris

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Finally finishing this entire string, wanted to point out a few things. I am VERY familiar with Jackson Memorial Hospital that someone mentioned. Google and read the article Jackson Health - Miami Health system in death spiral, OR 3rd largest public hospital in U.S. close to bankruptcy! Yes they have excellent care. They are $229 million in the hole last year and worse this year I am sure - how long can they possibly hang on? In a letter of Jan. 2011 from Timothy Geitner to Harry Reed, he pointed out the U.S. debt is $13.95 TRILLION.
As someone mentioned there will be things you miss when you move, but are you adaptable? As for supermarkets and hospitals - location, location, location. We have the 2 best hospitals in Central America within a 10 min walk of our place. Same for supermarkets. Riba Smith has anything and everything you could want! Super 99 is cheaper but does not offer the more 'gourmet' items as R/S - cheap by American standards. In addition to these 2 supers within 10 min walk there is SuperKosher and a half dozen markets with any kind of produce you could want.
One other comment on healthcare. How many counties offer stem cell treatment. I have been researching Stem Cell Therapy for several years. Google Stem Cell Institute and Panama and spend some time looking into this new technology. Google stem cell therapy and dogs if you want to see what the U.S. is doing - you will not believe it. Thank God other countries are actually treating diseases. I am looking into treatment for my arthritic knees in Panama. A friend of mine is being treated for MS at the Stem Cell Institute here.
I think the point is check out the area before you rent or buy. Be sure it has all that you desire. For us we have movie theaters, casinos, restaurants, hospitals, groceries all within walking distance and in a very safe area - though you can never be too careful anywhere! There is no utopia, however - maybe Panama is not the one who is third world! chris

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Island girl just tell the forum what it cost to buy an apt in your building or area. Also explain how can you buy PC products imported from the US cheaper in Panama supermarkets?

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I was very interested to read everyone's comments and sorry the conversation stopped. One statement that seems to be wrong is no age limit for health insurance in MX. That may have changed in the past two years, but now 74 is the cutoff--I think. I did not realize you could keep Medicare by having a US mailing (street) address. Is that still true? We are seriously considering relocating, not sure where yet, but partner is 76 with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

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HI, I am over 65 and keep hearing that it is next to impossible to get health insurance at all in Panama because of my age. The policies that we are offered are expensive and have extremely high deductibles. One of our reasons for wanting to relocate to Panama is because of the high prices in the US. My husband is not eligible for Medicare and will not be for several years. His health insurance is running close the $1,000 per month, not counting copays. Anyone know about people over 65 that are reasonable. I have high cholesterol so maybe that will be treated just like high blood pressure.

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Deb what state do you live in? My husband will lose his Cobra next month and we are looking for something inexpensive - or not for him until we relocate to Panama.
Thank you

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Hi Panamaislandgirl, may I ask where you live? Obviously it is Panama City, but what area and could one rent a reasonably nice apartment for around $1,300 to $1,500 a month? Thank you for any information you can provide.

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From age 65 up to age 75 We have policies that go from $1,500 a year to $$10,000 and more ... underwriten by the top international health insurers doing business in Latin America.
Drop me an email if you want me to quote and provide you with reliable information.
Saludos from Panama,
gdelaguardia@gmail.com

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Deb,
We were just talking with some friends who are unable to get a pre-existing condition covered in Panama. Probably true everywhere under private insurance.

Regarding medical care in Panama-I have heard many people rave about the care but I can't recall anyone raving (in a positive manner) about medical care in the US. The last time world health care was surveyed (in 2000) the US came in 37th world wide and the cost was more than twice as much as the next most expensive country.

As for Obamacare, if anyone thinks that will improve things, I will take that bet.

Personally, I recommend the whole foods diet and exercise health care plan.

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Not to attempt to inject sexist or derogatory comments ...
Does anyone here remember Panama 20+ years ago? There were VERY few obese folks walking about.
Panama as a whole was very trim. And many people lived to be in their 90's or sometimes even 100+. I'm no medical professional, but I believe it had everything to do with whole and fresh foods and walking more often instead of owning cars. People used to shop daily for their FRESH fruits/veggies & carnes. Now one can witness folks going to Super 99 or the like and filling their carts with all sorts packaged and processed crap.

Larger GI's stationed in Panama didn't often shop on the economy because there were sizing problems. Since I was a teen, I have always worn an XL or XXL shirt. Back then I could never find sizes that large in any of the stores. Now one can shop at just about any store and find XXL and up sizes ... and there are now plenty of locals walking about that certainly would fit the medical diagnoses of "Morbidly Obese'. A diagnoses unheard of in the past. Much like the USA pre 70's.

The US and other Americanized cultures have played a very negative roll on Panama's progression in regards to its healthy evolution. Look at the stores for example ... packaged, frozen and microwavable foods galore.

When I was on my first tour in Panama in the '80s, the woman here were trim & curved (and quite frankly, I couldn't keep my eyes off them!) ... and the men were fit as well. My wife's abuelo lived to be a ripe old age of 98 and still worked in the fields daily... he passed 10 years ago. His wife is now passing his dying age. They can attribute their longevity to living in the interior where progress hasn't yet infected their evolution.

As said by others ... doctors' visits are in fact less expensive. A visit at your neighborhood clinic will typically range from $5-12 bucks. Rx's not included. Though many expats won't use the local clinics because some think they are less than acceptable, instead they will drive to old Howard or Clayton and pay the $30-40 per visit and enjoy an English conversation. If you ask the doctor where they practiced before taking the Howard or Clayton position, they will tell you they had one of those $5 clinics ... then one can deduce they moved for the money. Though still the same experienced doctor. Many doctors outside PC were actually educated in the states.

One day when you're bored, plan a field trip and visit your local clinic. Tell the doctor about your symptoms / something you already know the answer to ... just to see if they come to the same conclusion your expensive North American doctor came to previously. What do you have to lose but 5 bucks and a couple hours? If they tell you something different, don't yet dismiss their opinion. Example ... 3 or 4 years ago in Alaska I was told after many tests I had emphysema/COPD. I couldn't believe it since I have never smoked, but accepted the answer because I worked the flightline for 25+ years around JP4/8 exhausts. So I got 2nd opinion just to hear the same thing. They started me on a Rx daily plan, and over the next year it seemed to worsen. During one of my many visits back to Panama I had an attack and couldn't breathe. I went to the local clinic where the rest of the family has for years and the Doc asked when I had bronchitis or pneumonia last. Told her it has been a couple years now and that shouldn't be the issue ... I told her I have emphysema. She told me no way, you have a bad lung infection. Gave me some antibiotics in the a$$ and a few tablets to take w/ me ... a month later I'm fine. Today I'm fine. Panama IMO has a very good medical program. Many insurances aren't accepted, but the costs are managable.

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Panama IMO has a very good medical program. Many insurances aren't accepted, but the costs are manageable

I have no idea what Panama IMO means please explain.

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Tharin,this is one post we can both agree on!

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IMO In My Opinion
IMHO In My Humble Opinion
:)

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Thanks Karla

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Ho ho ho! Thanks for explaining IMO!. Did not know whether it was an acronym for a Panamanian Medical Insurance.

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Ho ho ho! Thanks for explaining IMO!. Did not know whether it was an acronym for a Panamanian Medical Insurance.

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I have met expats who come to Panama specifically because even though they were able to get medical coverage in the U.S. - the pre-existing condition was excluded and the coverage was exorbitant ....and as we know only going to go up. So they came here because they can better afford medical here without coverage.

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I can send you some quotes of health insurance plans if you like. There are many insurers and we hunt down the best for those that want to look into it........

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I can send you some quotes of health insurance plans if you like. There are many insurers and we hunt down the best for those that want to look into it........

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Thank you James that would be great. I have found one that seems affordable, but am unsure about how to know if it would be accepted in Panama.
Thanks again.

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Thank you James that would be great. I have found one that seems affordable, but am unsure about how to know if it would be accepted in Panama.
Thanks again.

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E-mail me and I will get you all the details and you can see if any one of these programs will work for you.

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And I have friends who moved here after being told that a pre-existing condition would be covered. They then found out that they could NOT get coverage.

Generally medical care is much less expensive here but some hospitals-Johns Hopkins/Punta Pacifica for one, is starting to try to gouge people ala USA. I'm told to get prices for procedures up front and negotiate.

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That's a good point Jonoyakker, and not only with John Hopkins, but also from other hospitals, businesses and service locations. Even your taxi ride. That should be the motto when moving to Panama. "Get Prices up Front and Negotiate".

I was always worried about that area of Punta Pacifica, as it was built on a land fill, and the newspaper Estrella yesterday, says that properties there are on the verge of collapse and residents have been put on alert. Punta Pacifica: time bomb. Chaos in the rain and road systems. Residents feel cheated. The translated story below or look up Punta Pacifica La Estrella on Google


http://translate.google.com.pa/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://laestrella.com.pa/online/impreso/2013/08/14/punta-pacifica-a-las-puertas-de-un-colapso.asp&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpunta%2Bpacifica%2Bestrella%26biw%3D930%26bih%3D501

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oh poor poor rich people in Punta Pacifica didn't get that island -view they were promised and now want to fabricate problems to see if they can get their money back. Poor poor things.

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Tharin4Prez: 20 years ago?? My first trip to Panama was in 68 on the "Golar Patricia" (and have been coming to Panama ever since (except for owning a Bar in San Jose, Costa Rica for a spell. Does anyone remember the "Blue Goose" or "Gloria's" and whatever happened to them???

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Ah, memories ...

seadog ... The Blue Goose I haven't thought of in years ;) The internet says it's still in operation and renamed to 'La Nueva Gruta Azul'. Though I can't check out their website on this silly Govt computer. In the late 80s and early 90s it was dubbed off limits. But for those w/ a yearn for adventure, we always found ways not to get caught. On the other hand, I never ventured into Gloria's. My taxi friend said even he wouldn't go there, so I never tried. There was another place near the El Carmen area called La Palace we frequented. It was always on/off the off-limits list, depending on payday weekends.

'68?! I was about 2 :D

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Tharin: I liked Gloria's as it was smaller (La Gruta was huge and we'd go there too). Usually half of our crew were in there at any given time of day so's they weren't looking for any trouble from us(and they were raking in the Moola). Many of my fellow crewmembers were Gorillas that would just as soon fight as............ well, let's just say enjoy the ambience. I used to run into the Sea-Land docks as our run on that ship was intercoastal. We would be docked for 4 or 5 days at a pop. They unloaded our containers with an old steam crane(it originally had a shovel on it and was used to dig the canal. The builders plate attested to a date 1901). It sure was slow and that meant plenty of time ashore!! Well, gotta go. I'm getting ready to pull the anchor and head to berth here in Corpus Christi for a load. Back down that way round September some time....BTW, I started riding these old wagons when I was 15 years old so you can do the math. Later. Seadog

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Good day, Folks
I'll be short but direct. If you have a preexisting conditiondo not expect Blue Cross/Blue Shield to insure you. I have a controlled Thyroid condition and 20 lbs overweight by their standars and my husband has had successful hip transplants in the US a few years ago with no complications and we were DENIED after going through a battery of tests that showed that we were in good health. I recommend Hospital Santa Fe in Panama City.

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