Panama Healthcare Options If You CANNOT Get Health Insurance

Panama has several health insurance options. If you’re 60-69, one health insurance plan only costs $117 per month. But, there are several reasons why you may NOT be able to get health insurance in Panama. Don’t worry, I’ll talk about solutions below.

So, what could prevent you from getting health insurance in Panama?

1. Currently, health insurance companies in Panama are not writing new policies for those who are older than 74. The only exception is Hospital Santa Fe in Panama City which has no age restriction for their health insurance policy for seniors. Once you get an insurance policy, they will continue to insure you if you pay the monthly premium.

2. If you have had serious chronic health conditions like cancer or diabetes, you may not be able to get health insurance in Panama.

3. Some pre-existing medical conditions may be excluded for the first two years – which means you won’t be insured for those conditions for two years. After the two years, they will only be insured at 50%, which could still leave you with a hefty medical bill.

4. If you are not vaccinated for Covid, or don’t have a medical exemption letter from your doctor, you cannot get health insurance in Panama unless it’s Hospital Santa Fe health insurance or an expensive international plan like WorldWide Medical.

So, what’s the solution?

Many expats and Panamanians self-insure, setting aside savings to pay for health care. Healthcare is affordable in Panama!

Basic medical care in Panama is super affordable. A routine doctor visit is less than $20 without insurance, and lab work is super affordable. You can even get an EKG for less.

If you take medications, you need to research their cost in Panama. Sometimes, they cost less, but sometimes, they cost more. You must also determine if the medicines you take are even available in Panama and what they cost. Our free report about the 50 Most Commonly Prescribed Medications and Their Cost in Panama will help, and it has a link to two pharmacies where you can check medication prices.

What if you have a serious health problem not covered by insurance?

Panama’s public healthcare system is a very affordable alternative for those without insurance. At public hospitals or clinics, it’s about $2 to see a doctor, $5 for a specialist, and about $100 a day (sometimes less) if you are admitted to the hospital.

Panama’s public healthcare system does not charge a monthly fee; you pay when you use it.

To give you an idea of the costs of a medical emergency at a public hospital:

In 2021, Carol had emergency surgery at the public hospital in Chitre. She was in the hospital for 6 days. Her total cost was $150!

David has a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to the public hospital in David. After 9 days in the hospital, the best cardiologist in Chiriqui province, and many lab tests, including CT scans, his total bill was $895!

In 2023, Jamie had an emergency at the public hospital in Las Tablas; the total cost was $2!

In 2024, Frank has hernia surgery for $150 at a public hospital in Aguadulce.

Quality and Affordable Healthcare is Available in Panama

Of course, you can also go to a private hospital in Panama, which is usually nicer, but it will cost at least ten times more than a public hospital. For example, when I had Covid in 2021, it cost $15,000 to be in a private hospital for 9 days. Luckily, I had international health insurance, which reimbursed me, but I had to pay upfront and then file a claim.

If you are a US citizen with the right Medicare Advantage plan, it will cover urgent care and emergencies in Panama. Some hospitals in Panama offer direct billing, so you do not need to prepay and then file a claim to be reimbursed.

So, even without insurance, you have excellent and affordable healthcare options in Panama.

Here’s another example of medical care in Panama – written by John in Las Tablas!

So yesterday, this happened. After over a month after my graceful landing on my shoulder by missing the final step on my stairway, I finally went to see my doctor. I took my Spanish-speaking fiance with me, but the doctor speaks a little English, so I understood most of what he was saying. Good guy. From Cuba. He examined me and told me he didn’t think I broke anything or did any serious damage but wanted me to go to the local hospital for X-rays and 2 steroid shots. (Have to get 2 more sets of shots, one set today, and one set tomorrow) Cost for a 30-minute consultation? $24.

So now it’s off to the Hospital. Asked where X-ray was and a guy walked us right there. Very nice and helpful. Took two X-rays and when I asked where I needed to pay, the lady in X-ray told me there was no charge. She then pointed to a set of double doors and said I would get my shot just on the other side. Total time at X-ray? About 5 minutes.

I walked through the double doors, and there was a counter with several medical folks sitting / standing / talking. A doctor looking guy asked if he could help us. I handed him my paper from my doctor. He looked at it, handed it to a nurse and she got up and left. Five minutes later she came back, ushered me to a treatment room, told me to drop my shorts, gave me a shot in each butt cheek, and sent me on my way. Again no charge. Total time getting the shots? About 10 minutes. Again, no cost.

So for that medical care today, it cost $24 and from the time I arrived at my doctor’s office to the final procedure at the hospital, no more than an hour and a half. How cool is that? — in Las Tablas, Los Santos, Panama.

OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS

See Health Insurance Options in Panama to learn about other healthcare and health insurance options available to you.