Search Results for: medical

Last Updated Feb 25, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

Medical Emergencies During a Panama Relocation Tour

Since 2010, we’ve been offering Panama Relocation Tours. In all that time, we’ve only had very few minor medical situations until the February 2019 tour when we had two major medical emergencies which required visits to a hospital emergency room. I’m sharing details about these two emergencies so you can see the costs and quality of the care received at a public hospital and with doctors in Panama.

In Panama, there are public hospital and private hospitals. The private hospitals cost more. At the private hospitals, you’ll pay $15 – $20 for a routine doctor visit or $40 to $50 for a specialists.

But, the public hospitals are much more affordable. Anyone can use the public hospitals. There is no monthly fee to use the public hospitals, instead, you just pay when you go. It is typically about $2 for a routine doctor visit or $5 for a specialists at a public hospital. Interestingly, the doctors who work at the private hospitals are required to work a certain number of hours each week at the public hospitals so you could see the same doctor, but for a fraction of the costs, if you go to public hospital. However, unless it is an emergency situation, you might wait longer to see a doctor at a public hospital than a private hospital.

I have been to the small public hospital in Boquete for physical therapy a few times after messing up my shoulder with a weird yoga move called the Five Rites. Even though I had an appointment at a specific time, I had to wait about 20-30 minutes for my treatment. The doctor spoke perfect English and my treatment was $5. The results were great!

A friend in Boca Chica went to the public hospital after having an allergic reaction to mangos. Her total cost was $1.25 for seeing the doctor and getting an injection.

Some expats who live in Panama decide to “self insure” (meaning they do not buy health insurance) because the costs of health care is so affordable at the public hospitals. Instead of paying a health insurance premium, some expats set that money aside for any medical expenses. You’ll understand why when you see the costs below.

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Last Updated Oct 26, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

Veterans Medical Benefits In Panama

A Veteran is anyone who has served in the United States military or the National Guard. A retired Veteran is one who served for an entire career, usually for 20 years or more. If you register with the VA or Tricare, you could be eligible for medical care in Panama. Learn how to register below and see additional information about hospitals where you can get care in Panama.

In Panama retired and non-retired Veterans who were honorably discharged with a VA awarded disability of 0% to 100%, are covered under the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) in Panama. These Veterans are eligible for VA-FMP covered medical care and medication prescriptions in Panama at certain locations. The veteran must register with VA-FMP. https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp

Are you thinking about moving to Panama? Check out our guide to living in panama and learn more about our relocation tours.

If you do not have a VA ID, visit a VA hospital or clinic whenever you travel back to the US with a copy of your DD214 to request a VA-ID . NOTE: The VA ID is not required for medical services overseas. You will only need your VA-FMP benefit letter listing your awarded disabilities. VA-FMP covers medical services and medications overseas for VA awarded disabilities.

NOTE: If you DO NOT have VA awarded disabilities, you WILL NOT have VA medical coverage overseas. For this reason, you should visit your nearest Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for guidance and assistance if you believe you have service-connected disabilities to claim.

Spouses, dependent children, widows and widowers of non-retired veterans, that have been declared to be 100% total and permanently (T&P) disabled by VA, are also eligible for medical services and medications under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/champva/champva_eligibility.asp

The 100% T&P non-retired veteran and his dependents are also authorized DOD ID Cards for entry into military installations. They will have access to commissaries, PX/BX and MWR in some countries although they are not available in Panama.

Dependents of retired and non-retired 100% T&P veterans are entitled to Chapter 35, Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), to be used towards a degree in VA certified colleges and universities.

TRICARE Select, TRICARE for Life and CHAMPVA beneficiaries have a 25% co-pay for medical services and medications.

MEDICARE

For retired veterans and their spouses, ensure you sign up for MEDICARE Part-B prior to your 65th birthday. You will drop out of TRICARE and not be medically insured if you do not have MEDICARE Part-B at age 65. Manage this most important life event very carefully and don’t miss it. Permanent penalties apply if you register in MEDICARE Part-B after age 65.

Medicare Part-B is Mandatory by Law to continue TRICARE coverage, even if it does not provide coverage outside of the US.

To keep TRICARE coverage, when military retirees and their spouses turn age 65, they must enroll in Medicare Part-B and pay the standard Part-B monthly premium.

https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Medicare/Retiree_and_Family

https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TFL/TFL_O.aspx

Even though Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the US, Public Law 106-398, October 30, 2000, mandates Medicare Part-B enrollment if you wish to remain eligible for TRICARE for Life (TFL) at age 65 and beyond.

Apply for Medicare Part-B before your 65th birthday to avoid a break in TRICARE for Life coverage.

By taking a few simple steps, you can make sure you have your TRICARE benefits at age 65 and beyond.

Four months before your 65th birthday, you should receive a postcard from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), the office that supports the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), with information about keeping TRICARE coverage at age 65 and beyond.

If you do not receive a postcard from DMDC, call them at (800) 538-9552.

You must have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to be eligible for TRICARE For Life, even if you live overseas and Medicare does not provide coverage.

TRICARE For Life is the Medicare wrap-around coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A and have Medicare Part B regardless of where you live.

The Medicare initial enrollment period is seven months. If you miss your initial enrollment period, your next chance to sign up for Medicare Part B is during the general enrollment period, Jan. 1 – March 31. Your coverage will begin July 1st, and your monthly premium for Part B may go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but didn’t sign up for it. Also, there will be a lapse in your TRICARE coverage until Part B is effective.

Overseas, your nearest US Embassy with a Social Security office can also assist with Medicare Part-B enrollment. When you tell the Embassy officer that you are retired military, or the spouse/survivor of a retired military service member, and they state you do not need Medicare Part-B overseas, they are incorrect. US Embassies overseas make this mistake and the beneficiary will be penalized by the SSA for enrolling late in Medicare Part-B to maintain TRICARE.

** Another way to enroll:

– If you are a military retiree, age 65, and already receiving SS retirement benefits, please enroll by completing Form CMS-40B.

– If you are a retiree, age 65, and have not applied for SS retirement benefits yet, please enroll in Medicare Part-B by completing Form CMS-40B or online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare

– If you are a spouse or survivor of a retiree, aged 65, please enroll in Medicare Part-B by completing Form CMS-40B

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS40B-E.pdf

– You can also apply for Medicare Part-B using your online SS account

Important: when applying for Medicare Part-B and have not applied for SS retirement benefits yet, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will contact you for further information. Provide a valid phone number, and area code, where you can be contacted.

REMEMBER: If you are enrolling in Medicare Part-B to keep your TRICARE for Life benefits, you must answer “YES” when the Social Security representative asks if you want to enroll in Medicare Part-B.

**For survivors (widow/widower), on Form CMS-40B, include the following in “Remarks”:

1) Your Deceased spouse’s Name and Social Security Number (SSN) if you do not have your own SSN

2) The word “TRICARE”

3) Indicate if you are receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Write “VA Survivors Pension”

4) Write “Interpreter” and the language you require, if you need translation assistance for the follow-up telephone interview

Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) are available to provide guidance and assistance. Click “VSO” on the main menu for details.

MEDICATIONS

If you are covered by VA-FMP, there is no cost for medications if prescribed for service-connected VA awarded disabilities. You should verify that the Panamanian pharmacies have the medications you need or it may be necessary to have your medications shipped in to Panama.

HOSPITAL CARE

Several hospitals throughout Panama offer services to Veterans. In Chiriqui province, on far western Panama, Veterans use Hospital Mae Lewis. Near Panama City, use Hospital Brisas. A Veteran Service Office can tell you which other hospitals work with Veterans in Panama.

Hospital Brisas is a private hospital. It is NOT a VA Hospital, is not funded by the U.S. Federal Government and is in no way associated with the U.S. Federal government. Hospital Brisas, in Panama City, Republic of Panama, accepts VA-FMP, CHAMPVA, TRICARE Select and TRICARE for Life. Any deductibles apply.

If you would like to use the services provided by Hospital Brisas or be hospitalized, contact Itzi Soriano or Aracelis, Veterans Services Office, at 507-6799-4961. Email: [email protected]

Hospital Brisas occupies the complete second floor of Signature Plaza located in Brisas del Golf, Panama City. Patients and visitors are greeted by a professional staff, an attractive and welcoming environment, well lit airy public spaces, comfortable waiting areas, and modern consulting rooms. The hospital is one of the most modern and well equipped in Panama City, with medical equipment purchased from Germany.

Hospital Brisas has been specifically built and designed around the needs of the patient to enhance the quality of care, speed up diagnosis and provide exceptional medical treatment. You will be happy with the 835 parking spaces distributed on the ground floor and underground. To access the hospital on the second floor, Signature Plaza has escalators and elevators located in the center, east, and west wings of the plaza.

The following services are provided:

*Reception Office / Information Desk at the main entrance
*VA-FMP, TRICARE, CHAMPVA Help Desk
*Outpatient specialty clinics
*Inpatient medical services
*Doctor receptionists
*Laboratory services
*Ambulatory minor surgery
*Ambulatory medical service
*Endoscopy, Colonoscopy
*Orthopedic
*Otolaryngologist (ENT)
*Urology and gynecology
*(Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, mammography). MRI is outsourced
*24/7 emergency service
*Physiotherapy
*Insurance office for most private medical insurances accepted in Panama

Outpatient appointments, X-ray, MRI, laboratories or special procedures, please call 309-2300, Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm.

CLICK HERE for more information about Hospital Brisas

If you are covered by VA-FMP, there is no cost for medications if prescribed for service-connected VA awarded disabilities. However, over the counter medications are not covered.

VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS

There are Veteran Service Officers throughout Panama to offer guidance and assistance – at no charge. The Veteran Service Officers will assist and guide you with the necessary paperwork to file for medical benefits in Panama.

Veterans helping Veterans. Retiree mission statement: “Our mission has changed, but our duty has not.”

This is a list of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) available to assist you in Panama:

Butcher Operations Officer Panama City, Panama

Blis Liaison and Public Affairs Officer Panama City, Panama

Frank [email protected] Panama City, Panama

Tim [email protected] Chorrera, Panama

JR [email protected] Chiriqui, Panama

Rey [email protected] Hospital Brisas, Panama City

David [email protected] Chitre, Azuero Panama

CLICK HERE for more information about the Veteran Service Offices and the support they can provide to you

VETERAN MEETINGS

I’ve heard there are 800 Veterans in Chiriqui Province in far western Panama. I don’t know how many Veterans are in all of Panama. The Veterans in David get together for coffee on Wednesday mornings. The Veterans in Boquete have a meeting every Thursday. You can get information about other Veteran meetings by contacting the Veteran Service Officer closest to the town where you live in Panama. See the list above of Veteran Service Officers in Panama.

There is an Annual Veterans Meeting in Panama City sponsored by HealthAlliance, Panama. Key guest speakers from VA and other agencies are invited. The meeting is followed by a luncheon where veterans and their spouses have the opportunity to meet and know veterans from all over Panama. CLICK HERE to see details about the next Annual Veterans Meeting

WHAT IS COVERED?

(a) Using TRICARE insurance, medical services and medications at hospitals and/or pharmacies that accept TRICARE. The veteran that has TRICARE insurance must be prepared to pay cash up-front. Many hospitals reserve the right to accept or decline TRICARE. Ensure detailed receipts are secured from the hospital to submit reimbursement claims to TRICARE. You have 3 years to submit your claim from overseas. Claims can be submitted online once you create a TRICARE account at http://www.tricareoverseas.com/Beneficiaries.htm

(b) VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is for VA awarded disabilities from 0% to 100%. VA awarded disabilities are 100% covered overseas if listed on the VA-FMP letter.
http://www.va.gov/PURCHASEDCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp

Does the veteran have to pay for services in advance then reimbursed by the VA?

(a) If the disability is listed on the VA-FMP award letter, the veteran does not have to pay for medical services or medications. HealthAlliance, Panama, will provide the medical services and prescribed medications, then bill VA-FMP directly.

(b) Medical services for non-service connected disabilities, not listed on the VA-FMP letter, must be paid by the veteran. VA will not reimburse non-service connected expenses. If the veteran has TRICARE insurance, then a reimbursement claim can be submitted to TRICARE.

If you have questions or require assistance, contact one of the VSOs in the area where you reside in Panama.

HELP! IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY for Veteran benefits in Panama, don’t feel like you are stuck living close to a VA Hospital in the US. In Panama, a routine doctor visit is $10 to $15 without insurance. Once you get a residency Visa in Panama, you can use the Social Security or public Regional Hospitals in Panama where it is only $1.50 to see a doctor and get substantial discounts on medications. Medical care is much more affordable in Panama.. and I personally think the quality of care is much better too. Health insurance is available even if you have preexisting conditions.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

MEDICARE cannot be used in Panama. Veterans cannot cancel MEDICARE Part-B at any time or you will dropped out of TRICARE and not be insured.

In the United States, all veterans are entitled to 100% care at any VA hospital, service-connected or not.

Overseas, veterans can only receive medical care and medications for service connected disabilities rated at 0% to 100%. The VA ID must state “Service Connected” under the picture and the veteran must be registered in FMP.

I know it all sounds complicated.

But understand, if you are a retired Veteran or were in the military and discharged with a disability (even 0%), you may be eligible for free medical and prescriptions in Panama. A Veterans Service Office in Panama can help you get set up for these services. Contact http://www.vsooverseas.com/for more details

Come and enjoy tropical Panama with the thousands of veterans and other expats who have made Panama their retirement home.

Last Updated Jan 1, 2020 - by Panama Relocation Tours

Health Care Costs and Medical Emergencies in Panama

One of the biggest concerns about moving overseas are health care costs, the quality of service and the availability of affordable health insurance. You’ll be delighted to know that in Panama healthcare costs are low, the quality of service is excellent and affordable health insurance is readily available. Of course, like anything in Panama, it can vary greatly depending on where you go.

Your health insurance probably won’t travel with you outside of your country, and Medicare does not work overseas. So, you’ll need to get health insurance in Panama unless you decide to self-insure. Luckily, healthcare and health insurance are very affordable in Panama as you will see below.

Are you thinking about moving to Panama? Check out our guide to living in panama and learn more about our relocation tours.

HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCES..

Following are my personal experiences, the experience of tour guests, and the experiences of friends who have come to Panama to seek medical care.

About 3 months after I moved to Boquete Panama, I experienced a lot of pressure in my ear so I went to one of the local doctors. No appointment necessary. After a thorough examination, he told me I had a sinus infection and an ear infection. He gave me a 7 day supply of antibiotics and ear drops. Plus he told me to take a teaspoon of local honey every day for a month, then at least one teaspoon per week after that. He also “prescribed” eating 2-4 kiwi fruit every day for 7 days because they are high in Vitamin C. Total cost for the doctor visit and meds…. $10. That was in 2010 price. But now, he charges $15 unless you have a Visa, then it is only $12

That’s $10 total. Not a $10 co-pay for insurance.

One time I had to go to the emergency room at Hospital Chiriqui in David because I had sharp pain in my right side. I thought my appendix was busting. I was seen right away. They took blood tests, urine tests and got an IV started with pain meds. I was there several hours. The doctor determined that it was not my appendix.

The total cost was $44.80. Not a co-pay!

The reason medical costs are so affordable in Panama is because the price is based on what the average Panamanian can afford to pay. Malpractice lawsuits are rare because Panamanian law doesn’t allow frivolous lawsuits so malpractice insurance is very low cost. The doctors don’t have to spend a fortune on insurance. Many doctors in Panama live a simple life. Most doctors in Panama don’t live in a McMansions or drive Mercedes like the US doctors who charge a fortune for their services. Most doctors in Panama have a no-frills office.

In Panama, a routine doctor visit is $15 – $25 depending on where you live. A specialist is $40-$50. Many of the doctors were trained in the United States and speak very good English.

It’s $40-$50 to get your teeth cleaned. My daughter got a crown last year, it was $495 total costs. To get a crown in Texas would have cost $1500 minimum.

Affordable and quality healthcare costs in Panama are one of the many reasons people move to Panama. And it is the reason some expats who do not have preexisting health problems decide to self-insure instead of buying health insurance.

Unlike other Latin American countries, Panama does not require foreigners with a Visa, or Panamanians, to pay monthly fees to use the public hospital. Instead, you just pay when you go. At the public hospitals, also called Social Security hospitals, it is $2 for a doctor visit or $5 for a specialists. You’ll likely see the same doctor you would visit at a private hospital because doctors in Panama are required to work a certain number of hours each week in the public hospitals.

However, even health insurance is affordable. I have worldwide medical insurance which covers me in Panama, in the United States, and any other country and any hospital. I paid $2100 a year with a zero deductible in Panama and a $1000 deductible outside of Panama. My insurance also covers $750 a year in prescriptions but I rarely take any medications. To keep the costs down, you could pay a higher deductible. International health care companies will allow you to sign up if you are under 74.

There are a variety of different international health insurance companies. Their prices vary greatly! It pays to shop around. We will give you a list of companies during the tour. If you buy health insurance through a broker, it will cost much more than buying directly from the insurance company. Therefore, I recommend buying directly from the company instead of using a broker.

I used my worldwide medical insurance for two eye surgeries in Panama. Prior to the surgery, the $40 eye exam was the most thorough eye exam I ever had. The doctor’s office filed all the insurance paperwork. I had zero out of pocket expense.

To get lab work done you do not need a doctor’s prescription. During the recent tour, I needed to meet some of the tour guests at the bank so they could open a bank account. I didn’t have time for breakfast or coffee. The lab is on the same street as the bank. Since I had been fasting, I decided to get a complete lab work done. I got the 25% pensionado discount. See the costs….

PanamaRelocationTours.com — Affordable lab costs in Panama

If you are a woman over 55 or a man over 60, you get a 10-20% discount on most healthcare costs including prescriptions, doctors, dentist, lab work. Even tour guests, who do not have a residency visa, have been able to get these pensionado discounts by simply showing their passport (which shows their age).

You can get health insurance which covers you only in Panama. This is more affordable than international insurance.

Many of the private hospitals offer a a medical reimbursement plan. If you are 60, it will costs about $90 a month. This plan does not cover 100% of most medical costs but they do cover 85%. Preexisting conditions are not covered the first year but they are usually covered after the first year at about 50%. There is no age restriction. With this plan, you have to pay for the service first, then submit the paperwork to get reimbursed.

I’ve been told by people who live in Volcan that the new hospital in Volcan offers a healthcare plan for $10 a month and 50 cents a doctor visit or $1.50 for an emergency room visit. Sorry, but I have not been able to find any information online to verify these details.

Every medical specialist is available in Panama but they may not be available in the town where you live. You may need to to go David or Panama City for certain specialists.

ARE YOU A VETERAN?

Are you a US Veteran? You’ll be pleased to know that some hospitals and pharmacies in Panama work with the VA to provide medical care and prescriptions for Veterans. If you’re a retired Veteran, Tricare or TriCare for Life covers most inpatient and outpatient care that’s medically necessary and considered proven.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VETERAN BENEFITS HERE If you are a Veteran, but not retired from the military, you could be covered too. I have spoken with several veterans who are not retired but get mostly free healthcare and prescriptions in Panama.

MEDICAL TOURISM IN PANAMA

Affordable and quality health care is the reason some of my friends have come to Panama for medical care even though they don’t live in Panama

After a Panama Relocation Tour a few years ago, Brian Mann came back to Panama for hernia surgery, dental implants and some dermatology work. YOU CAN READ ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE HERE.

This year Christina Poodt broke a bridge then wanted to get dental implants but it is cost prohibitive in the USA. She said the cost for implants in Panama is 90% less than what it would have cost her in Atlanta Georgia. She also added that the doctors in Panama consulted together in the same location and did everything they could to save as many teeth as possible to help reduce her costs. The dentist in Panama had to pull 3 teeth. The dentist in Atlanta wanted to pull 7 teeth. Big difference… in pain… and costs!

Another friend from Texas reported …

Just got back from a family reunion. 2 of my cousins went to Panama in April for stem cell therapy. It is not permitted in the US but legal in Panama. One had rheumatoid arthritis and he says he is 1000% better. The other cousin had back pain for the last 20 years and it was GONE!! It cost $17,000 for each of them. Insurance not used. Best money they ever spent. The hospital where they were said the Mel Gibson’s dad, who is 93 was treated there about a month earlier. He got out of his wheelchair that he had been in for 4 years !!!

A good friend in Florida had to pay $125,000 to have a stent put in his heart last year. The same procedure is less than $15,000 in Panama at Hospital Punta Pacifica, the Johns Hopkins affiliate!

Tim moved to Gorgona Panama last year. In Tennessee, he suffered from severe arthritis which made it impossible to work some days. But since he has been living near the Pacific Ocean, his arthritis has almost completely disappeared.

Just yesterday, January 2019, a lady who came on a Panama Relocation Tour, and who lives just down the road from me, fell and broke her wrist. Another neighbor took her to Hospital Mae Lewis in David which is 30 minutes South of Boquete. This is how she explained her experience:

The service and care that I got at that hospital was absolutely phenomenal. I walked in at within five minutes I walked into the triage room and then about five minutes after that I had my x-rays and 10 minutes after that I saw the orthopedic surgeon and he put a cast on me and set an appointment for me for a month from now gave me my pain med prescriptions, which I was able to go and fill right there at the hosptial pharmacy. She was an x-ray technician in the US and said that Mae Lewis has better x-ray equipment then she had in the departments in the US. TOTAL COST, without insurance, was $212 for the ER and $30 for pain medications.

PANAMA IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH TOO!

MEDICAL PROBLEMS DURING/AFTER THE TOUR

During the Panama Relocation Tours, we rarely have a medical emergency but they do occur occasionally. These are the emergencies we have had…

Water Taxi Bocas el Toro Panama — Water Taxi Bocas del Toro Panama

About 10 years ago, when we still went to Bocas del Toro during the tours, Soup Campbell cut his finger on a sharp screw on the water taxi. I didn’t even know about it for 24 hours. He went to a doctor who cleaned up the area and stitched it up. The total cost was $50.

Speaking of Soup….about 6 months after Soup moved to Volcan Panama from Fairbanks Alaska, he had a stroke. He was in Hospital Chriqui for 5 days. He had CAT Scans, MRIs, 3 different doctors including a neuro-surgeon. His total cost was a little over $3000. With no insurance.

Sandra had a tooth fall out of her partial. This is what her experience was..
While on tour and dining in a restaurant eating Pad Thai, I bit down on a peanut and broke the eye tooth off my partial. The next morning Jackie took me to a dentist in Bojo Boquete but her lab is located in David so she referred me to Dr Rivera in Boquete.

Dr Rivera’s office and lab are located in a building next to his home. He took one look at the bridge and the tooth and said no problem. The tooth had to be fused back onto the bridge and I was only there one hour.

He did a perfect job and the cost was only $20! I would not hesitate to go to him again.

After moving to Boquete, Jim was visiting a friend’s garden when a pet parrot bit his ear. It was bleeding profusely. He went to the local social security medical clinic where it was cleaned up then stitched up for $1.50

On another tour, a man had been quoted $9000 to get his bridge replaced in Florida. After the tour he went to my dentist in David to see what the cost would be. The dentist told him he could fix it for $50… the dentist said no need for a replacement. That’s a $8950 savings!! Why didn’t the US dentist offer to fix it?

During the February 2015 tour one of the guys enjoyed a little too much free booze at one of the resorts where we stay. He then took too many Ambien which caused him to have a very rapid heart rate and faint feeling. The resort called an ambulance to take him to the emergency room in Coronado. It was $50 for the 15 minute ambulance ride (which included taking him back to the resort). His 5 hour emergency room visit was $128. No insurance.

On the June 2015 tour, Melanie had a crown come lose. This is what she experienced

While on the Panama Relocation tour, my husband and I had rented a car to explore Boquete. Suddenly a crown just fell out! We called Jackie and within 10 minutes she had us in a local dentist office. Unfortunately, they were very busy. She then lead us to another office. The female dentist came out and greeted us in English and apologized because she couldn’t see me for another 45 minutes. We came back later and she took me into a very modern and extremely clean room. She was so friendly and actually sang to me while working on the crown! Thirty minutes later she was done. She walked me to the front and charged me $30! No paperwork, no forms, no insurance..nothing but great service! How refreshing! Back home, I’d spent that much time filling out the same forms I filled out the last visit, and spending more than that on my co-pay!
Melanie Beighle

Tim Fong came on that June 2015 tour too. He had not been feeling well ever since the day he arrived in Panama. He thought it was something he ate but later found out it was kidney stones. Read about his almost daily experience and costs for emergency room visits…NOTE… he got a pensionado discount even though he does not have a visa yet….

Clinica in Panama City: Emergency visit with MD: about $26.00 with senior discount plus meds.

ER in Coronado (extremely modern and clean facility, ER doctor spoke perfect English) costs: $52.91 after senior discount.

ER in Santiago (not as modern as Coronado, but I felt the care level was acceptable) total costs for x-rays, blood tests, IVs, and doctor’s exams: $44.00. Taxi ride to ER was $2.50. The hotel employee stayed with me the entire 2 hour visit and made sure everything was taken care of. I expressed my deep gratitude for his kind attention towards my needs and tipped him $100.00 (I asked him to buy something nice for his children)

Visit with Doctor Chen in Boquete for stomach pain: $10.00

Blood tests at modern lab in Boquete: $26.00 after senior discount.

ER in David: ER exam, blood tests, and x-rays, total costs: $75.36 not including meds. Private car service by Elmer was top notch. We got to David in less than 20 minutes. Elmer was apologetic when he requested $75.00 for the round trip fare to David and back to Boquete. He also stayed with us during the entire hour or so at the hospital. I expressed my gratitude to him and tipped him $25.00.

Follow-up visit with Dr. Chen to review blood tests: $10.00

Tim said….Like many others, I was curious about Panama’s medical system. Be careful what you wish for. I feel the level of services and care ranged from good to excellent.

To be fair, I’m sure you can find articles about people complaining that the medical care in Panama is not so good or that it is not customer service oriented. You will probably find people who have not received good health care in Panama. Bad healthcare can, and does, happen in the United States, Europe and Canada every year too.

Before seeing a doctor, it is always best to ask other expats who they recommend. You will usually hear the same doctor’s name come up over and over again… that is the doctor you want to go see.

It has been my experience, and the experience of my friends and all tour guests, that the customer service and medical care in Panama is as good, if not better, than the United States. The cost is certainly a LOT better!

Doctors in Panama really put the CARE back in healthcare. They listen to you, do a thorough exam, and spend as much time with you as it takes to diagnose your problem. After any visit to a doctor office or an emergency room it is common for the doctor to give you their cell phone number or home phone number so you can call them directly if there is a problem. If they have a business card, their cell phone is printed on the card.

Of course it is best to PREVENT medical problems! That’s easier to do in Panama because there is less stress from all the high costs of medical care and health insurance in other countries.

When you move to Panama, if you switch to a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh fish… you can improve your health, reduce your waistline, and keep health care costs to a minimum.

Many who have moved to Panama have reported improved health, weight loss, and getting off all the medications they took prior to moving to Panama.

Last Updated Nov 12, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

First Month in Panama

One of the biggest concerns that people have about relocating to Panama is not knowing Spanish. Don’t let the lack of knowing Spanish stop you from enjoying a more stress-free and affordable life in Panama. There are places where you can live in Panama and do just fine with very limited (or no) Spanish.

Some areas of Panama have a higher concentration of expats who speak English. In these areas, more Panamanians speak English so it easier to start out, at least initially, in an area with plenty of expats because it will make your transition to life in Panama easier. In the expat communities, you’ll find that some restaurant menus are in Spanish and English, people at the bank speak English, doctors speak English and even signs at the grocery store are in Spanish and English. In expat communities, there will always be someone close by who is bi-lingual who can help with translations if necessary.

But, even in the expat communities, it is good to learn basic Spanish phrases. You’ll find that the more you are around Spanish speakers, the more Spanish you will learn!

If you move to an area where there are not many tourists or expats, there will be only a few Panamanians who speak English because they have not been exposed to, or had the need to know, English. In these areas, you’ll need to learn more Spanish faster.. keep reading to learn how!

So, you moved to Panama and you are getting settled into you very first rental. You are unpacking, you are walking around your town and finding out where the grocery stores are, where the restaurants are, and most important, where the closest place is where you can sit down and order an ice cold beer (or margarita). There will probably be several places like this and there will be other expats there who you can chat with!

Learning Spanish is high on your priority list, but first things first. Your suitcases needs to be unpacked, and you must buy food to put in the refrigerator so you can cook something this week! When you move to Panama, where Spanish is the official language, it could present some new challenges – but they are easy to overcome!

With that in mind, these are some basic things you will need to know to communicate and function in Panama that first month. The first chart has a few words and basic phrases that will make your first month in Panama a little easier.

If Panamanians see you trying to speak even a little Spanish (even if you butcher it) and you have a big smile, they will do everything they can to help you communicate. They sincerely appreciate that you are trying.

THE FAST TRACK TO SPEAKING AND UNDERSTANDING SPANISH

To get a head start in Spanish before you arrive in Panama, I recommend Gary A. Scott’s $79 Online Spanish Course. Gary’s amazing course will help you learn 17 little tricks which will help you learn 4,000 Spanish words in your first week in Panama. Then, he teaches you connector words to make it easy for you to communicate. Even if it is not a complete sentence, you will be able to get your point across and you’ll understand what Spanish speakers are saying to you.

SEE DETAILS ABOUT GARY SCOTT’S $79 ONLINE SPANISH CLASS HERE

I was fortunate to go to Gary’s live 3-day class when it was taught in Panama. By the end of the first day, everyone in the class was speaking, reading and writing in Spanish! In addition to the 17 “tricks”, Gary uses special “super learning” techniques to help you learn faster and comprehend what you learn easier.

Gary is also offering a free report with 173 medical words which could come in handy. Many doctors in Panama speak English but their support staff may now. These 173 medical words could help get your point across until the doctor is available. You can get the free report with 173 medical words when you enter your email HERE
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Last Updated Aug 15, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

What’s Your Plan B: Safety Insurance

There are three kinds of people who come on a Panama Relocation Tour: (1) Those who are ready to relocate to Panama and are looking for an affordable place to live for their next adventure, (2) Those who are investigating places to retire later, and (3)those who want to have a Plan B just in case they need to leave their country later. Today, I’m going to write about the Plan B group.

I have not watched the news in several years. Instead, I get my news from people from all over the world who come on a Panama Relocation Tour every month. Friends and family forward news articles to me too. What I’ve learned about what’s really going on around the world is a bit scary and it makes me ever so grateful that I live in Panama where there’s peace and everyone just gets along.

Sadly, other countries are not so lucky. This is what tour clients are reporting:

In South Africa and Zimbabwe, people are afraid to go to a grocery store or walk down the street unless they have a gun or a body guard to protect themselves. It’s dangerous to let their children go to school. It’s even dangerous to stop at a red light. South African farmers are murdered every day.

In Hong Kong, the protests are getting worse every day. I’ve been told by tour clients that a major revolution is coming soon there. All flights in to and out of Hong Kong have been cancelled.
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THE FAST TRACK TO SPEAKING AND UNDERSTANDING SPANISH

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