Healthcare in Panama

By Betsy Burlingame

Summary: 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.

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Healthcare in Panama

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.

17 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Panama

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

8 Important Tips about Healthcare and Health Insurance in Panama

Expats in Panama offer 8 important tips about healthcare and health insurance in Panama. While the quality of healthcare varies, there are world class doctors and facilities throughout Panama. Health insurance is much less expensive in Panama. Doctors visits (with and without insurance) are very affordable. The one negative seems to be that medications can be more expensive that in the U.S. Despite these pros and cons, many expats mentioned that people have healthier lifestyles in Panama - cleaner air, cleaner water, fresh produce and less stress.

Expats in Panama offer 8 important tips about healthcare and health insurance in Panama. While the quality of healthcare varies, there are world class doctors and facilities throughout Panama. Healt...

Hospitals in Panama City, Panama

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.

Panama Healthcare FAQ

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

Expats Report about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Panama

Read recent healthcare reports submitted for: Bocas del Toro, La Chorrera and Nueva Gorgona.

Answer Questions about Healthcare in Panama

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.

Expats Talk about What it's Like Having a Baby in Panama

Read recent baby reports submitted for Santiago and David.

If you're an expat parent who had a baby abroad, write a report about your childbirth experiences to help other expecting expat parents.

Expat Health Insurance

Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Expat Health Insurance

Get a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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7 Things to Know Before You Move to Panama

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health insurance that covers me in Panama and my home country when I travel back to visit relatives?

5 Tips for Living in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro, Panama is a popular tourist destination and filled with laid-back expats and locals enjoying the island life. With its low cost of living, thriving nightlife and welcoming expat community, Bocas del Toro is a great place to live.

Thanksgiving in Panama

American expats in Panama can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal at these restaurants.

7 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2022

Panama is a great place to live or retire with easy residency laws, warm people and lots of expats. Whether you want to live by the beach in Bocas del Toro or need to live in Panama City for work and schools, there are many places to explore. We highlight 7 great places to live in Panama.

Comments

So what if you are 70 but in good health. Are there any healthcare options or are you on your own?

Panama Healthcare! Stay away from the public healthcare system. The are very inconsistent with the care that the provide. A patient went to the emergency room and kept there for few days while cinditi9n kept deteriorating. With financial help, the patient was transferred to hospital San Fernando where they treated her sepsis and was able to recover.

Some really valuable information for those living or wanting to live in Panama. I considered it once before but I don't speak Spanish and have no desire to learn a new language at 64 y/o. Healthcare concerns me the most when living outside the US. I'm use to showing my medicare, retired military ID ( Tricare for Life ) or Blue Cross/ Blue Shield insurance cards and all claims are filed on my behalf with very little if any out-of-pocket costs. Living in a foreign country you best have a large nest egg saved ( Large, depending on your comfort level ) or a high limit credit card (25k) at least or have both. You aren't in the US where we are spoiled and I know this from first hand experience living in the Philippines for a year. No upfront money (deposit) no treatment! No exceptions. Foreigners die every day there because of this. Evil in my opinion because the system puts more value on money than saving a human life case closed.