Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Panama City, Panama

"Healthcare services in Panama City are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and provides free or low-cost services to citizens. Private healthcare services are also available, and are generally of a higher quality than public services. These services are provided by a variety of hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. In addition, there are a number of specialized medical centers that offer specialized treatments and services. The city also has a number of pharmacies, which provide medications and other medical supplies," remarked one expat living in Panama City.

"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," said one expat living in Panama City.

"Panama City offers a wide range of medical services, including both public and private hospitals and clinics. The public hospitals are generally well-equipped and staffed with experienced medical professionals, while the private hospitals offer more specialized services and treatments. In addition, there are a number of pharmacies and medical supply stores located throughout the city. Many of the larger hospitals also offer emergency services, and there are a number of medical centers that specialize in specific areas of medicine. The city also has a number of medical tourism options, with many international patients coming to Panama City for medical treatments," said an expat in Panama City.

"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," commented one expat living in Panama City, Panama.

"Health care is excellent, in private hospitals, with excellent doctors, specialists, surgeons, nurses, etc....and price are cheaper than the USA. A Healthcare plan here (we are with Cigna but there are many other companies to choose from) covers us, my wife and I, in Panama and worldwide for a fraction of USA health plan cost so Healthcare is very affordable in Panama," commented one expat who moved to Panama City.

"We compared 5 different plans on pricing, deductible, co-pay. Out-of-pocket, coverage, network doctors, specialist and hospital and the more advantageous plan was Cigna International for a worldwide coverage except USA (you can include the USA but like all the other plans, you will pay more). We had a bad experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield Panama with months of waiting for payments that was less than expected since complicated contract was difficult to understand. We are now with Cigna International and we pay just a little bit more per month than BCBS but claim refunds takes about one to two weeks with no questions asked besides sending your doctors bills, pharmacy bills, hospital bills, etc using their App. ," said one expat.

"In Panama City, emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To call for an ambulance, you can dial 911 from any phone. The emergency services are provided by the National Civil Protection System, which is a government agency. The ambulances are equipped with the necessary medical equipment and personnel to provide medical assistance in emergency situations," said one expat.

"Yes, there are a good number of medical specialists in Panama City. People can go to the Hospital Punta Pacifica, which is part of the Johns Hopkins Medicine International network, for highly specialized medical care. The hospital offers a wide range of medical services, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, and orthopedics. Additionally, the Hospital Nacional is a public hospital that provides specialized care in many areas, including obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. For those seeking specialized care outside of Panama City, there are several private hospitals located in other parts of the country," said an expat in Panama City.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Panama City. Most pharmacies in the city carry a wide variety of medications, including both generic and brand-name drugs. Many of the pharmacies also offer online ordering and delivery services, making it easy to get the medications you need. Additionally, many of the larger hospitals in the city have pharmacies that offer a wide selection of prescription medications," commented one expat who moved to Panama City.

"Medical care in Panama City is generally of a high standard. The city has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer a wide range of medical services, including general practice, specialist care, and emergency services. The public health system is also well-developed, with a number of public hospitals and clinics providing free or low-cost care. In addition, there are a number of international hospitals and clinics in the city that offer medical services to expatriates and tourists. Overall, medical care in Panama City is of a high quality and is easily accessible," wrote one expat.

"Yes, foreigners living in Panama City have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Panama is generally considered to be of good quality, with a wide range of services available. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The public healthcare system includes hospitals, clinics, and other health centers, which provide a range of services including primary care, emergency care, and specialist care. The public healthcare system also provides access to medications and vaccines at a reduced cost," remarked one expat living in Panama City.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the local healthcare system in Panama City. Many hospitals and clinics have had to reduce their services due to the lack of resources and personnel. Additionally, the government has implemented strict measures to limit the spread of the virus, such as the closure of non-essential businesses and the restriction of movement. As a result, many people have had difficulty accessing medical care, as well as other essential services. Despite these challenges, the healthcare system in Panama City has been able to provide adequate care to those in need. The government has also implemented various initiatives to support the healthcare system, such as providing financial assistance to hospitals and clinics, and increasing the availability of medical supplies," commented one expat who moved to Panama City.

"Health care services have become dedicated 90% to caring for patients with Covid-19. For anybody with other health care needs during this time, you are basically out of luck. Fortunately, we haven't needed medical or dental care care in the last 11 months. Our regular doctor and dentist offices have been closed," said one expat.