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Health care and health insurance costs continue to rise in the United States. For retirees living on a fixed income, it has become harder to afford health care and health insurance. Many factors contribute to the price of health insurance premiums, such as state and federal laws regulating costs, where you live, whether you get insurance through your employer, and which type of plan you choose.
According to Investopedia, in 2020, annual premiums for health coverage for a family of four cost $21,342. Your employer could pick up part of that cost. The rise in health insurance costs may be one reason wages haven’t risen much over the past two decades.
If you’re a United States citizen over 65, you probably have Medicare. But Medicare does not cover 100% of the costs of your health care in the United States, and out-of-pocket expenses keep going up and up.
By the way, if you have the right Medicare Advantage Plan, it DOES cover you in Panama for urgent care and emergencies.
SO, WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
Many Americans are choosing to move to Panama to significantly reduce their costs of living, including lower health care and health insurance costs.
In Panama, healthcare expenses are based on the local cost of living which is much less than in the United States or Canada. In addition, frivolous lawsuits are non-existence in Panama, so malpractice insurance is very low for doctors. For these reasons, Panama’s healthcare and health insurance cost a small fraction of what they would cost in North America. Despite the lower costs, the quality of care is high. A routine doctor visit at their private office is only $15, with no appointment necessary. Or you can go to the public hospital where it is only $2 to see a doctor.
Panama has a two-tier healthcare system. There are public hospitals, and there are private (for profit) hospitals.
NO MONTHLY FEE – PAY AS YOU GO – PUBLIC HOSPITALS
When you relocate to Panama, you can use the public health care system. There is no monthly fee and no age restriction. There are no restrictions for pre-existing conditions. You’ll pay about $2 to see a doctor or $5 for specialists.
A few months ago, a lady who came on a Panama Relocation Tour had emergency surgery at a public hospital in Chitre. She was in the hospital 6 days. Her total cost was $150.
This year, a couple’s son fell and broke his jaw in three places. The emergency surgery, ten days in the hospital and all x-rays and lab work was about $350. WATCH THE VIDEO for more details.
Many ex-pats in Panama use the public health care system instead of buying health insurance.
A neighbor was hospitalized at the public hospital in David after having a heart attack. After 10 days in the public hospital, his cost was less than $900 including MRIs, Cat Scans, medications, and the best cardiologists in Chiriqui Province.
With these prices, you can see why many ex-pats just use the public health care system.
HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS
You can get health insurance that only covers you in Panama. Or, you can get international health insurance covering you in Panama or any other country.
As of January 2023, Panama insurance companies require you to have a vaccine card or a vaccine exemption letter from your doctor to get approved for health insurance in Panama.
Because health insurance is so affordable in Panama, I think it is wise to get health insurance when you can afford to. With a higher deductible, you can reduce your monthly or annual premium. Health insurance prices will depend on your age.
You have several choices for health insurance. It’s better to buy health insurance directly from the insurance company because “some” insurance agents in Panama will add 40-50% to the costs. I ran into that problem when an insurance broker in Boquete wanted to charge my son $2000 more than buying directly from the insurance company. Luckily, we have 5 honest insurance brokers listed in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide who don’t play those games.
PANAMA ONLY INSURANCE
Some insurance companies in Panama, like Blue Cross Blue Shield, will not accept you as a new client if you are over 65. The two most popular insurance companies in Panama are Mapfre and Family Medical.
MAPFRE offers Panama only insurance or international health insurance. Mapfre has the best network of doctors and hospitals in the country. You’ll be covered for preventive medicine, 100% emergencies, hospitalization, and consultations with accessible copays, maternity, laboratories, and X-rays. You can select a higher deductible to keep your monthly premium low. Their website is only in Spanish, but if you send them an email or call, they will have an English-speaking representative contact you. A 59-year-old friend has Mapfre. She went with a $5000 deductible so her monthly premium is only $69 per month.
FAMILY MEDICAL is one of few insurance companies covering pre-existing conditions after you’ve had insurance with them for two years. They cover 70% of most non-emergency medical costs and 100% of emergency costs. If you are over 50, they will require you to get an EKG and lab work to get insurance. FAMILY MEDICAL will currently insure those who are 70 or less AND they cover up to three preexisting conditions (with some exclusions)!. See their BROCHURE in English here. Family Medical offers family discounts. Their costs are very reasonable as you can see below:
30-39 – $46 per month
40-49 – $63 per month
50-59 – $82 per month
60-69 – $102 per month
70-79 – $125 per month (currently, Panama insurance companies are not writing new policies for over 74) But don’t worry, we have another solution for those over 75 and it’s excellent insurance)
You’ll also notice in the fine print that some insurance companies will only insure those who have proof of Covid vaccines OR an exemption letter from a doctor. (Don’t worry, we have a solution)
IMPORTANT! Most Panama and international health insurance companies will not insure you if you have pre-existing conditions. If you are older than 60, they will require a physical. EKG, and lab work before agreeing to insure you. They may exclude the existing condition for two years, then have you do a physical to see if your health has improved so they can insure you.
Insurance does not cover the cost of medications. Some medications are a lot less in Panama, but some cost more. And, some medications are not available in Panama. You must determine the cost and availability of medications in Panama before deciding to move to Panama.
You can even buy cancer insurance for as little as $63 a year! This insurance is only available for those who have never had cancer.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
When I first moved to Panama, I got WorldWide Medical international health insurance through United Healthcare. At 64, I pay $2500 a year with a $500 deductible, then I’m covered 100% up to $4,000,000 per year. International health insurance means I’m covered at any hospital or doctor in Panama or any other country. When you are 65+ the prices go up substantially for international health insurance with a premium of $4500+. See the Worldwide Medical brochure in English here.
Other international health insurance plans like Cigna, or Bupa are even more expensive.
THERE IS A SOLUTION!
I found a solution for international health insurance that is a fraction of the costs. It will insure people up to 80 and even pre-existing conditions. It’s not available through any insurance broker in Panama. You can see details and insurance brokers offering this plan in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide.
Before moving to Panama, I tripped on a blanket and fell down the stairs at my house in Dallas. I damaged my eyes and had to have two eye surgeries in Texas. I thought my eyes would be excluded from my insurance in Panama, but it was not. Since moving to Panama, I have had several more eye surgeries, including a lens replacement. My international health insurance covered 100% of the cost of both surgeries in Panama.
I can honestly say that the quality of the care I got in Panama was far superior to the care I got in the United States.
Even though I have no plans to move back to the United States, when I turned 65, I decided to get Medicare. If I did not get it when I turned 65, there would be a substantial penalty to get it later.
Certain Medicare Advantage Plans cover you for emergencies and urgent care, even in Panama.
NOTE! You normally must pay the service cost upfront and then file a reimbursement claim. If you have Worldwide Medical, the hospital will only require a small deposit and will bill the international health insurance company.
Most Panama health insurance companies will not issue insurance until you live in Panama. You’ll need to prove that you are renting in Panama or have bought a house.
All international health insurance companies have a restriction that you must be living overseas. They will have rules about how long you can return to your home country – usually 6 months maximum. So, you cannot buy insurance in Panama at a much lower price, then move back to the United States to live full-time.
WARNING: Shop around for health insurance. But BEWARE that many insurance “brokers” or agents in Panama charge 30-50% more for health insurance. In the Complete Panama Relocation Guide, we have recommendations for honest insurance brokers who do not play those games.
SAVE MORE!
There are other savings when it comes to health care in Panama. It costs about $50 to get your teeth cleaned. It is $1000 for a dental implant. A friend had an upper and lower eye lift in Panama City for only $2000.
You can go into any lab to order your lab work without a doctor’s prescription. I recently paid $42 for a complete lab workup. This price did reflect a 25% Pensionado discount.
This special Pensionado discount is valid for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. The Pensionado discount is for Panamanians, foreigners with a Pensionado Visa, or ex-pat women over 55 or men who are over 60 and have a residency Visa.
Many Americans are moving to Panama for more affordable healthcare and health insurance.
It’s unfortunate that people in the United States don’t have an affordable solution for health insurance. My healthy 38-year-old daughter would have to pay $525 per month for insurance with a $5,000 deductible at healthcare.gov. She previously had to pay a $2000 a year penalty because she refused to pay those ridiculous prices for health insurance in Texas. With a deductible that high, it is doubtful that she would ever actually get to use her insurance.
Many people in the U.S. are learning that there are very affordable health care and health insurance alternatives when they relocate to Panama.
Some doctors in Panama were educated in the United States, and some are even Board Certified in the United States. You can find any specialist in Panama that you’d find in the US too. Many Panamanian doctors speak English.
Panama doctors put the CARE back into healthcare! They will spend as much time with you as necessary to understand your health problem and carefully explain the situation along with their proposed solution.
QUALITY HOSPITALS TOO
Panama has quality hospitals too. Punta Pacifica Hospital, the Johns Hopkins International affiliate, is known as one of the most technologically advanced medical centers in Latin America.
Hospital Paitilla is affiliated with the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. San Fernando Hospital is affiliated with the well-known Tulane University Health Services Center and Hospital Clinic, Baptist Health International of Miami, and the Miami Children’s Hospital. Hospital National is run by the American Hospital Management Company, affiliated with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Kendall Medical Center in Florida.
Hospitals, medical centers, pharmacies, dental clinics, and labs are readily available in cities throughout Panama.
Prices for prescription drugs in Panama can be very low as well. They are priced for the local market. Unless you are buying an antibiotic or a narcotic, you will not need a prescription so you can save money on unnecessary doctor visits. CLICK HERE to get a free report of the top 50 prescriptions in the US and what they cost in Panama.
WHAT ABOUT MEDICARE OR TRICARE?
Certain Medicare Advantage plans will cover emergencies and urgent care in Panama. Our ex-pat Medicare Advantage insurance specialist can help you get the right Medicare Advantage plan.
The Canadian Health System does not provide for medical costs outside of Canada unless you’re from Ontario. Ontario has a special medical plan that will cover you for up to 7 months outside of Canada.
Retired US military veterans and 100% disabled veterans are eligible for free medical and prescriptions in Panama through the VA or Tricare. Learn more about Veteran Benefits Here
Como No? This is a popular phrase in Panama. It means WHY NOT.
With a more affordable cost of health care and health insurance plus the lower cost of living in Panama, COMO NO relocate to Panama?
It’s certainly worth checking out Panama to see how you can reduce your health care and health insurance costs. Plus, you’ll discover how you can LIVE BETTER for LESS.
Our Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide has the same information as on a 7-night Panama Relocation Tour. You’ll receive detailed information about various health insurance companies, including their direct contact information. You’ll learn about Visa options, finding a rental, where to get affordable health insurance, how to bring your pets to Panama, and much more! The Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide has information to help you do a self-guided tour of Panama, plus contacts if you’re interested in a private tour guide.
Or, if you’d prefer to check out Panama with a group of like-minded people, consider a 6-day 7-night all-inclusive Panama Relocation Tour!
As of February 2023, we’ve completed 200 relocation tours and helped many thousands of people relocate to Panama seamlessly.
We’re the Retire in Panama Experts! We have the experience you can trust and need when deciding to relocate to Panama.
Started to respond and hit enter by delete. So here I go again. Thanks so much for an excellent article with great info. Health insurance is outrageously expensive here in the U.S. We currently pay about $15,000 per year without having any really serious issues. Next year it will be over $6,000 more per year because my Cobra coverage for my wife (who is too young for medicare) expires and the deductible goes from $800 per year to $7,000 per year for her (I am on Medicare). I have also noticed that the care I receive is lower now that I am on Medicare than with my previous employer’s insurance, probably because the doctor gets paid less for seeing me than before. We had hoped to move to Panama this year but are still hoping to next year.
By the way when we lived in Peru I found that medical care was similar to what you describe in Panama, much more personal and way less expensive. A week long hospital stay in a private clinic with testing, surgery, and a private room cost only $4,000 before insurance ($400 after insurance). One surgeon visited me every day in the morning and the other every day in the afternoon during my stay. Doctors also did house calls.
Panama doctors put the CARE back in to healthcare!
Hello, Ms, Lange. I am a Panamanian living in the US and am planning to retire to Panama depending on health, dental and vision insurance costs. All of the insurers are explicit in stating that the coverage is for American Expats. I am not an American. Can you point me in the right direction to a company that covers Panamanians living in the US who want to retire in Panama City?
Isabel. the health insurance options we mentioned are for anyone, not just American expats. You can contact any Panama insurance agent to see what your insurance options are.
Are pre-existing conditions like cancer covered? My cancer is currently in remission. I’m 62 years old and looking to move to Panama in 2021.
Thank you
You would need to contact the insurance companies to determine if they would cover you. I’m sure it depends on all kinds of variables, like what kind of cancer, how long ago, what treatments were done, etc
Hi Jackie, just wondering if this doctor would still be your first choice as we’ll be looking for an eye doctor during our stay? Or is there one closer to David? Thanks
Dr. Arosemena is my first choice. I do not have any personal recommendations for eye doctors in David.
What if an 81 year old in good health wanted to move to panama(pensionado); could I get health insurance from anyone? How much would it cost?
Hello Richard. At 81, you can get health insurance through Santa Fe Hospital in Panama City. It will cost about $200 a month. But it would mean that you need to live near Panama City
Hi Jackie, What is the best option for health insurance if we are visiting
Panama for a month or two ? Thanks Joe
Hi Joe. Get travelers insurance. Check out insuremytrip.com or worldtrips.com
Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this really informative article! The cost of healthcare in the US was the main reason I started looking to live in another country. I looked at several countries but Panama seems to have my name on it! I’m in the process of trying to sell everything and get there!
Health insurance and health care are affordable in Panama!
Are you able to share where you got lens replacement surgery? We’re not ready to move to Panama yet but I’ve tried investigating medical tourism and it’s been difficult to find reliable information. Cost for lens replacement surgery here in FL is $11,000 (!) which is far more than what I see they charge in other countries. Thanks for all the great info you share!
Dr. Arosemena at www. EyeDoctorPanama.com He speaks very good English and is an excellent doctor!! If I remember right, it was $1800 for the lens replacement a few years ago.
Jackie,
Excellent article; really well explained. I have a question though, what is the “MS” insurance you are referring to? And I had also heard about “catastrophic insurance”? My thing is I
although I will be 67 when I plan on arriving, I am basically healthy, never been hospitalized (except maternity), on no medications and the only insurance I use here is the VA (vet but not retired), and dental through work. So, I would prefer to pay out of pocket but have something for an emergency.
Thank you
MS-Panama changed its name to Family Medical.
Hi Jackie, my question is unrelated to health insurance coverage. I meant to ask before but forget. I do not think that I have heard any discussion about the cost of property taxes, like when someone purchase a home. Property taxes is high in New York, I would like to get an Idea. Thank You.
most properties have no property taxes for the first 20 years, then it is a very low taxing system.
I am planning to relocate in Panama in 2024 when I will be 70 years old. I see I may have a problem with private Health insurance. The first one only accepts to 65 and the second one says 70 and later75?
Once you are accepted will they cover for the rest of your life or not? Also I may expend some time in Uruguay as retiree and can afford (it seems) international plan. Please advice and thank you!!!
Once you are approved for health insurance, they will cover you for as long as you make the monthly or annual payments. If you plan to live in Uruguay too, you might want to get international health insurance.
The information will actually save you money! OUr immigration lawyers charge $1500 for a couple to get a Pensionado Visa. Other lawyers charge $2800- $5000.
The real estate agents we recommend are honest and will not do a net listing which could cost you and extra $200 to $500 a month when living in Panama.
But, check out the free information at
https://panamarelocationtours.com/blog
and
https://panamarelocationtours.com/living-in-panama
and
https://www.youtube.com/c/PanamaRelocationTours
and see the reviews at
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298424-d19632561-Reviews-Panama_Relocation_Tours-Boquete_Chiriqui_Province.html
I watched a video of “private vs public” medical care in Mexico. In the video the public care looked like the DMV in California (crowded & full of sad looking people).
Can you describe what “public care” looks like when need an appendectomy or have a broken hand? <– Something that needs more than a pill.
every hospital is different. Many are modern new hospitals and not crowded. But some, especially in Panama City, are older and crowded.
Hi Jackie, Thanks for the great information. I am 68 and pretty healthy. My husband at 78 has macular degeneration for which he gets a shot in his eye, has had triple bypass surgery and a stent and had stage one larynx cancer many years ago. We were really wanting to move out of the US to Panama however I am guessing there is no way with his health issues he could get coverage from one of the private companies. Would you agree? I also read that some companies say they will cover you then do not. Is Panama just not feasible for a retirees like us?
Panama is still very feasible but your husband would not be able to get health insurance. If you’re a US citizen, get a Medicare Advantage plan because it will cover urgent care or medical emergencies in Panama. You can use the public healthcare system to keep costs low. But even the costs for private healthcare could be much lower than the costs in the US.
Thank you for your reply…sorry I missed it.
Is there a broker we can call?
Also we have traditional medicare (A&B), not advantage and are not able to switch. Does traditional medicare not work for panama in the cases you cited?
Regards,
Kelly
traditional medicare will not work in Panama. You would need a special Medicare Advantage plan that can cover urgent care and emergencies in Panama. You can switch to Medicare Advantage.
We have a list of recommended insurance brokers in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
hello i really need some help, I moved to panama now about a year ago and i just turned 21 this september , I’m from the USA and I would like to know what my options are on insurance in panama at my age , I don’t know what I’m doing , I don’t know much about health insurance
HI Bud
You can contact any insurance broker in Panama to get a list of options and prices.
Hi Jackie, I’m a big fan of your work and really appreciate all your videos :D
My wife and I are very motivated to move to Panama within 24 months.
I’m a 49 UK expat currently living in Dubai. Six years ago I had a stroke (very unexpected!), now recovered but taking the usual 3 ‘maintenance’ medicines after such an event (cozaar, clopidogrel, statin).
Do you think I would I be able to secure medical insurance? and any advice?
very best
Nick
HI Nick. I’m sorry to hear you had a stroke. You would probably not be able to get Panama-only health insurance, but there are two international health insurance options you could qualify for.
I am Dutch…yeahhhhh….living in Spain…Panamenian wife…We are thinking of emigrating to Panama. Feeling uncomfortable with the administrative part. (health insurance, visa etc) We are around 68 years young. Any tips?
Regards
Hans
Hallo Hans! Absolutely, we have many tips. You can find them in our Complete Panama Relocation Guide. The guide is available online and includes all of the same information we share during our group tours about how to make a smooth move to Panama. It even contains all of our trusted contacts for immigration, real estate, insurance, and more. You can purchase it here: https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide.
Hello Jackie, does Mapfre also require a vaccination, did not get, do not want shot. What options do i have. will be getting guide soon. Want to thank you for all your hard work and others in your team. Watch all videos. stuck in Philly one more year.
HI George
Mapfre and ALL Panama insurance companies require that you are fully vaccinated for Covid. International health insurance companies do not have that requirement. We have several international insurance companies recommended in the Online Guide https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
Thank you for getting back.
I also am not vaccinated nor want to be for covid. What are my insurance choices as I am 78 years old with good health. Looking forward to our tour later this year.
Thanks
Thomas
There are no Panama “only ” health insurance options for non-vaccinated or for someone who is 78. You can use the public hospitals. If you’re a US citizen, Medicare Advantage covers emergency medical care in Panama.
Hi Jackie, I’m thankful I found this article. It’s so awesome that you are still replying to comments years after you wrote this article. Thank you for passion to help others and being such an excellent resource for us. I’m currently here in Panama as a medical companion for my mom who was sent here by her insurance company from SXM the Dutch part. I live in Dallas and have been out of the county for quite some time so my insurance lapsed with Blue Cross Blue Shield now I’m uninsured and have to wait until open enrollment to reapply. I decided to get some labs while here and a scan of my thyroid and now I require further testing for my thyroid. I wish I found your article before I spent $586 at the Panama clinic for bloodwork and a thyroid ultrasound. I’m 40 and I’m looking for coverage for further testing do you reckon I go to one of the public hospitals you listed since I probably won’t get coverage? Or is there a way for me to get coverage and continue at the Panama Clinic?
Hello Komi
Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield in Panama to see if you can renew your policy. Otherwise, you can go to a public hospital. See details at https://panamarelocationtours.com/panama-healthcare-options-if-you-cannot-get-health-insurance