Health Care in Panama City

Panama City has both public and private healthcare systems. The public healthcare system is called the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS). It is used by both locals and foreigners, including expats and digital nomads. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Panama City for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Panama City are generally crowded and understaffed, but they are free or low cost and provide quality care. Expats and digital nomads are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Panama, but many prefer to use private hospitals. Private hospitals in Panama City are more expensive, but they are well-equipped and provide excellent care. People recommend using private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Panama City

There are several recommended clinics and hospitals in Panama City for expats. Clinica Hospital San Fernando is a private hospital located in the heart of Panama City. It specializes in cardiology, oncology, and neurology. Clinica Hospital Punta Pacifica is a private hospital located in the Punta Pacifica neighborhood. It is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine and specializes in advanced medical treatments. Hospital Nacional is a public hospital located in the San Miguelito district. It is the largest public hospital in Panama City and provides quality care. Hospital Santo Tomas is a public hospital located in the El Chorrillo district. It specializes in trauma and emergency care.

Emergency Services in Panama City

Panama City has ambulance services that can be called for emergencies. The number to call is 911. Ambulances usually arrive quickly, but there can be delays depending on the time of day and the location.

Health Insurance Companies in Panama City

The most popular private health insurers in Panama City are ASSA, Mapfre, and Blue Cross. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies or specialized expat health insurance providers.

Insider Tips from Expats in Panama City: Health Care

"Private hospital will do it like Pacificasalud or San Fernando. I had a Spontaneous Pneumothorax and my surgeon (an open heart surgeon) did the surgery by removing a "bulla" from my right lung so yes they have the same expertise as the USA. San Fernando is cheaper than Pacificasalud and my surgeon work at both hospitals. They also offer the surgery in Public (Santo Tomas) but I had to wait three weeks and could not wait that long so my surgery was done in San Fernando. Surgery went A1 with great follow-up," commented one member living in Panama City, Panama.