Panama Relocation Tours

Live BETTER For Less in Panama

  • Home
  • Tours
    • Tour Itinerary
    • Tour Dates
    • Tour Price
    • Testimonials
    • Tour F A Q
    • Refund Policy
  • Book a Tour
  • Living in Panama
  • Rentals
  • Blog
    • Live Conference Call
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home Archives for Panama medical care
Medical Emergencies During a Panama Relocation Tour

Last Updated Feb 25, 2019 - by Jackie Lange

Medical Emergencies During a Panama Relocation Tour

santiago panama public hospital 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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Living in Panama Tagged With: costs of medical care in Panama, Panama medical care, Panama medical costs

Find us on Facebook
Panama Relocation Tours YouTube Channel

As seen in...

MarketWatch logo

‘It is an act of insanity to stay in the U.S.’

Recent Blog Posts

  • The Fastest Way to Make Friends in Panama
  • REPLAY: Retire in Panama Q & A Call November 2019
  • 16 Years as an Expat in Panama
  • Should You Ship Your Car to Panama?
  • Bringing Your Pets to Panama
  • Shipping Your Household Goods to Panama
  • First Month in Panama
  • They Retired Early in Panama
  • Single Women Moving to Panama
  • REPLAY October 2019 Q&A Conference Call

Learn How to Fund Your Freedom Overseas
Free Book

image of Living in Panama As An Expat cover

© COPYRIGHT 2010 - 2019 PANAMA RELOCATION TOURS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PANAMA RELOCATION TOURS, INC. AND NEXT DOOR LLC DBA PANAMA RELOCATION TOURS ·
Privacy Policy | Become an affiliate