Understanding the Health System in Panama

Panama's healthcare system is composed of both public and private healthcare options. The public healthcare system is called the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) and is available to all Panamanian citizens and legal residents. Foreigners are allowed to use the public healthcare system, however, it is not widely used by expats and digital nomads. Public hospitals are generally not recommended for serious medical emergencies or major surgery, as they are often overcrowded and lack the necessary resources. Private hospitals are typically more modern and better equipped, and are recommended for serious medical emergencies and major surgery.

Panama's Public Healthcare System

The public healthcare system in Panama is called the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS). It is available to all Panamanian citizens and legal residents, and foreigners are allowed to use the public healthcare system. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and employers, and provides access to basic medical care at a low cost. However, public hospitals are often overcrowded and lack the necessary resources, so they are not recommended for serious medical emergencies or major surgery.

Panama's Private Healthcare System

Private healthcare in Panama is widely available and is typically more modern and better equipped than public hospitals. Private hospitals are recommended for serious medical emergencies and major surgery, as they are better equipped to handle these types of cases. Private healthcare is more expensive than public healthcare, but it is still relatively affordable.

Panama's Top Hospitals

The top hospitals in Panama include:

• Hospital Punta Pacifica (private hospital in Panama City)
• Hospital Nacional (public hospital in Panama City)
• Hospital Chiriquí (public hospital in David)
• Hospital Santo Tomás (private hospital in Panama City)
• Hospital del Niño (public hospital in Panama City)
• Hospital Punta Pacífica (private hospital in Panama City specializing in cardiology)

Health Insurance Companies in Panama

The most popular private health insurers in Panama are Assa Compañía de Seguros, Mapfre Panamá, and Seguros SURA. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies or specialized expat health insurance providers.

Insider Tips from Expats in Panama: How to Navigate the Health System

"all six pharmacies in the area have been out of my cholesterol drug for over a month," commented one expat living in Santa Clara, Panama.

"Chitre is a Medical Hub in the Central Provinces of Panama. Panama has a 2 tier system, public and private. For the most part, you can get very good health care for most everything. It is not perfect, but it is within the most reasonable care you can get in the country. Naturally, for more serious types of situations you would have to go Panama City. However, generally speaking Chitre has it all in newer and cleaner hospitals both public and private," mentioned one expat living in Panama.

"15 years ago I had GBS and was in the Mae Lewis Hospital in David for four months until I recovered. They took very good care of me, I was in intensive care on a respirator for a good part of the time. I haven't been sick since then and take no medications. I am 80 years old," said an expat in Panama.

"Health care in Panama exemplifies that of a small, developing country. The public system is very hit-or-miss, ranging from bad to terrible. The private system is adequate, but expensive for those coming from countries with universal health care systems," remarked one expat in Panama.

"See Dr. Levy, even if you have no insurance his office visits are only $15 and he is a very nice Dr who will send you to the appropriate specialists. Also there are a number of alternative doctor's locally who are not expensive either and are very effective if you are into that type of medicine. I have not renewed any medications since I arrived so I do not know about prescription drugs yet. But in terms of just seeing someone because you are not feeling well, Dr. Levy seems to be the place to go. And his fee is such it does not even make sense to claim insurance for the visit," commented one expat living in Coronado, Panama.

"Make sure you can fly back to the US for health care. You can not get health care in Panama unless you have cash. We were held at gunpoint in Panama till we came up with the CASH following my husband's surgery. Did not matter that we had retired military health insurance," mentioned one expat living in Panama.

"It is not like others want you to believe. It is not up to US standards. The one private hospital wants you to believe they are part of the Johns Hopkins network and they are not. Clinics are often store fronts, crowded and dirty. Equipment is old. ," said an expat in Panama.

"Being from the U.S. it's hard to say medical care is better, but the difference is it's 1/10th the cost to get the same type of medical care. Don't be afraid that you're going to get 3rd world medical care in a foreign country. Also, just as in the U.S., don't be afraid to ask questions or to give your opinion of what you think needs to be your course of treatment," remarked one expat in Panama.

"Care will not be as good unless you live in the city. Insurance will not cover pre existing," said one expat living in Panama.

" We have found the quality to be better than what was available was in Oklahoma, the price is definitely less, the doctors spend a lot more time with you and actually care. ," commented one expat who moved to Panama.

"Healthcare services in Panama are generally of a high quality, with both public and private options available. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is free for all Panamanian citizens. It is also available to foreign residents, although they may have to pay a fee. The public healthcare system is generally of a good quality, with a wide range of services available. Expats in Panama can use the public healthcare system, although they may have to pay a fee. Private healthcare is also available in Panama, and is generally of a higher quality than the public system. Private healthcare is more expensive than the public system, but it is often preferred by expats due to the higher quality of care," said one expat.

"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.