Panama Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Panama

Those moving or traveling to Panama will undoubtedly have many questions regarding how the Panama healthcare system works, as well as whether international health insurance in Panama is necessary. This short guide provides useful information about Panama, its healthcare system, and further outlines the key health insurance options available in the country. Read on to learn more, or click below to obtain a no-obligation, free quote.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Panama

Panama Healthcare System

Panama’s healthcare system encompasses both public and private systems, the former of which allows access to basic essential medical services but at the cost of long waiting times or possibly a lack of multilingual staff, while the latter features greater amenities and shorter waiting times.

Below are the public and private healthcare systems in Panama:

Public Hospitals in Panama

Panama’s public hospitals are funded by the Social Security System Fund (CSS) and these hospitals’ medical services are free of charge. Public healthcare facilities in Panama provide access to basic medical care but at the cost of long waiting times and a lack of multilingual medical staff.

Listed below is a well-known public hospital in Panama:

• Santo Tomas Hospital: This public hospital in Panama features numerous departments in surgery, medicine, nursing, gynecology and obstetrics, critical care, and more.

Note: Due to the shortcomings mentioned above, private healthcare is generally a preferred alternative among expats, which brings us to our next point.

Private Hospitals in Panama

Private hospitals in Panama make up for the shortcomings of their public counterparts with shorter waiting times, access to multilingual staff for expats, as well as greater amenities, the latter of which may be appealing for expats expecting a child in Panama.

Below are some prominent private hospitals in Panama:

• Paitilla Medical Center: This hospital, once known as “Centro Medico Paitilla” until its rebranding in 2019 after joining Hospiten Group, boasts a team of skilled medical professionals and is also associated with the Cleveland Clinic.
• Hospital Nacional: Local citizens may know this hospital from its gynecology, pediatrics, and dentistry. This hospital also offers elective and emergency surgeries in various specialties.

International Health Insurance for Expats in Panama

International health insurance is one factor expats in Panama should not overlook as it provides financial protection from overwhelming medical bills. The public healthcare, while affordable, may be crowded and lack multilingual staff, which is why expats may prefer private facilities.

With an international health insurance plan, however, expats can then gain access to quality healthcare facilities in Panama, which also means they will be able to choose specific facilities and specialists as they would like, which is great news particularly for non-Spanish speaking expats.

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Panama

Panama’s health insurance consists of the public health insurance systems, which encompass the CSS Social Security and MINSA system. However, public clinics may have longer waiting times, and eligibility may be a dice roll for some expats, hence why private health insurance is generally preferred

Below we will be discussing the available public and private health insurance systems in Panama.

Public Health Insurance in Panama

Through the CSS, Panama’s state health insurance program is available to expats with payment and the right visa, granting coverage to expats if they have a suitable work permit in Panama. For those who aren’t CSS-covered, the Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) also provides access to affordable clinics.

Below are the advantages and disadvantages of Panama’s public health insurance system:

• Mass Availability: The CSS is available to all expats as long as they carry the right visa and work permit for Panama.
• Immediate Enrollment by Employer: You will be enrolled in the CSS program by your employer.
• Suitable Alternative: The MINSA system features public clinics available to everyone and is an alternative for those not covered by the CSS system.
• Long Waiting Times: Public clinics and other facilities may have long waiting times, which can be problematic for expats seeking urgent healthcare.
• Uncertain Eligibility: You may or may not be eligible for plans from MINSA if you have any pre-existing conditions like illnesses or ailments.

Private Health Insurance in Panama

Private health insurance, much like private healthcare, is a generally preferred alternative among expats, and the reason why can be seen in its benefits. Some of these benefits include free selection of healthcare providers, access to multilingual staff, and more.

Below are the advantages of securing private health insurance in Panama:

• Free Selection: Private health insurance allows expats to freely choose any particular doctor or healthcare provider they would like, some of which may also include multilingual staff if they find language barriers problematic in other hospitals.
• Shorter Waiting Times: Private health insurance also allows access to shorter waiting times, allowing expats to get the treatment they deserve in a timely manner regardless of whether or not their medical case is considered an emergency or not.
• Additional Benefits: Private health insurance also allows expats to add extra benefits on top of their default plans like dental and vision care, which will really come in handy for expats and their families to ensure kids and parents can access quality treatment.

Best International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Panama

Ideal international health insurance companies for expats include Geoblue, Cigna, and many more. Below we will offer a brief overview of each provider and their notable benefits.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

Cigna Global offers flexibility for expats in Panama with around-the-clock access to customer service. Their plans, customizable and comprehensive, include Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans with different coverage levels and limits.

All of Cigna’s plans share common coverage benefits as outlined below:

AXA

Health insurance plans from AXA Global provide different levels of customizable coverage, including outpatient treatments, emergency care, hospitalization options, as well as medical evacuation. Known for flexibility, AXA’s plans are a favorite among expats.

The following are examples of shared coverage across all of AXA’s health insurance plans:

GeoBlue

Geoblue’s Xplorer health insurance plan comes in essential and premier variations, created for expats traveling from the United States for leisure or business and studying purposes. Expats also have the option to choose between worldwide coverage options with or without the US.

Below are some of the general shared features across all of Geoblue’s health insurance plans.

Factors to Consider When Securing Insurance from Panama

When selecting health insurance in Panama, there are numerous factors to consider that should never be overlooked, such as pre-existing conditions, which play into Panama’s MINSA local coverage.

Below are the factors to consider when securing health insurance as an expat in Panama:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Be sure to look for plans that cover all your essential healthcare needs, like inpatient and outpatient treatment or emergency services. Depending on your needs, benefits like dental or vision care can also come in handy.
• Look Beyond the Price: While we’re on the subject of looking for comprehensive coverage, it’s also important to look beyond the price point, as the most affordable plan might not actually guarantee the most comprehensive coverage for you and your family.
• Pre-Existing Conditions and Eligibility Uncertainty: Pre-existing conditions could make or break your eligibility for Panama’s local hospital coverage under the MINSA system, as with many insurers.

Health and Safety Tips for Expats in Panama

Panama, while known for its relatively low crime rate, does have its fair share of health and safety risks expats should keep in mind. For instance, nonviolent crimes are a frequent risk, and insect-borne diseases are one of the country’s most common health problems.

Below are health and safety tips to keep in mind for expats in Panama:

• Be Wary of Your Belongings: Petty theft is still prevalent in Panama. Be sure not to bring too many valuables and remain vigilant of your belongings, as even the slightest glance away could result in your items being stolen.
• Insect-Borne Diseases: Diseases like malaria or dengue fever are also common in Panama; thus, be sure to take any antimalarial medication beforehand and keep your doors and windows locked to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
• Prescription Drug Accessibility: Pharmacies in Panama allow expats to purchase both prescription and non-prescription medication. What’s more, drugs that may require a prescription in other countries are generally available over the counter here in Panama.

Emergency Medical Services in Panama

In the event of medical or other emergency cases, below are the various emergency numbers so you can reach out to ambulance services, the police, and more:

• Ambulance: 911
• Fire: 103
• National Police: 104
• Tourist Police: 511 9260
• Civil Defense: 512 6190 or 316 3200
• Crime Victim Assistance Program: 262 1973 or 512 2222
• National Tourism Authority Hotline: 178
• Directory Enquiries

For more urgent medical transportation, below are the different private ambulance numbers you can use in case of serious medical emergencies:

• Alerta SA: 263 4522
• SEMM: 333 0100 (Panama City), 474 1600 (Colón)
• Emi: 236 6060
• Vive: 279 3100

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to see a doctor in Panama?

When it comes to how much a doctor’s visit costs in Panama, a general practitioner visit can run you about USD $10, while specialist consultations may range from USD $50-75. However, please note that exact costs will vary depending on the doctor and the particular hospital you go to.

What are some known health issues in Panama?

Some common health issues in Panama include Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Leishmaniasis, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Chagas disease, and the Zika virus. Most of these diseases are common in the country’s rural regions.

What are some benefits and drawbacks of living in Panama?

Some benefits of living in Panama include affordable healthcare, a diverse cuisine, a friendly community, and low crime rates. However, for those seeking a peaceful lifestyle away from all the hustle and bustle, the country’s nightlife might be an issue as well as a language barrier for some.

Conclusion

As you can see, despite Panama’s affordable, accessible healthcare, the Central American nation’s public healthcare does have some drawbacks, such as potentially long waiting times regardless of the medical emergency and a language barrier for some expats.

This is where Pacific Prime comes in by helping you with plan comparisons and selections, ensuring you have a safety net crafted uniquely for yourself and your family. Our brokers have over twenty years of experience in seeking out suitable health insurance solutions for expatriate needs.

Contact us today or compare quotes using our online quotation system!