Healthcare in Panama > Panama Healthcare & Health Insurance FAQ
FAQ about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Panama

Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Caja de Seguro Social?
- What is the difference between healthcare offered by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) and Ministerio de Salud (MINSA)?

Never worry about paying your medical bills out of pocket again. The innovative Get a quote from our partner, PassportCard. PassportCard allows for a stress-free experience for all expat families, remote travelers, and workers. With a 24/7 customer service and an outstanding customer base of over 2 Million clients, it will feel like medical care at home. Get up to 10% off on your policy now. Get a quote from our partner, PassportCard.

Never worry about paying your medical bills out of pocket again. The innovative Get a quote from our partner, PassportCard. PassportCard allows for a stress-free experience for all expat families, remote travelers, and workers. With a 24/7 customer service and an outstanding customer base of over 2 Million clients, it will feel like medical care at home. Get up to 10% off on your policy now. Get a quote from our partner, PassportCard.
What is Caja de Seguro Social?
Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) is Panama's Social Security System. The CSS offers public healthcare to working Panamanians and expats with permanent residency status (who enroll in the system). It differs from public healthcare for unemployed or retired Panamanians, which is administered through the Ministra de Salud (MINSA).
CSS hospitals differ from private hospitals. One expat explains, "If you go to the public hospital here (first hand experience in both Las Tablas and Chitre) it is pretty much self serve. The nurses will provide the medicines and the procedures the doctors order and little else. It is expected that family members will come to the hospital regularly to help you with bathing, feeding and other personal care items. Also, you need to supply everything. Your hospital stay in the includes the bed, mattress and mattress cover. Unless you bring your own bed sheets, pillow, toilet paper etc. You won't have any. If you can get into the CSS hospital system after you gain residency your level of care goes up considerably, but very difficult to get enrolled, unless you are working here, then your employer has to register you by law."
What is the difference between healthcare offered by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) and Ministerio de Salud (MINSA)?
Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) is Panama's Social Security System. The CSS administers healthcare to Panamanians and eligible expats who are employed and enrolled in CSS. CSS operates their own hospitals and medical facilities (approximately 80 in the country).
Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) is Panama's Ministry of Health. MINSA administers public healthcare to unemployed Panamanians. MINSA operates its own hospitals and medical facilities (over 800 in the country).

The innovative PassportCard allows for a stress-free healthcare experience. Get up to 10% off on your policy now.
GET A QUOTE

The innovative PassportCard allows for a stress-free healthcare experience. Get up to 10% off on your policy now.
GET A QUOTE

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Expats living in Panama talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Panama and more.

Dive into healthcare resources for expats and digital nomads in Puerto Armuelles: identify leading healthcare providers, hospitals, and medical centers for optimal care.

Health Care in Panama City: Locate providers, hospitals, and medical centers to find the best health services available for expats and nomads.

Knowing which hospital you would go to should a medical emergency arise while living in Panama is important. This information is provided (but not endorsed) by expats and the US Embassy in Panama.

Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about healthcare and health insurance for expats in Panama.

Read recent healthcare reports submitted for: Coronado, Coronado and Coronado.

Help others moving to Panama by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare in Panama, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.

Read recent baby reports submitted for Boquete and Puerto Armuelles.
If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.