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Even though medical care is very affordable in Panama, it’s still a good idea to have insurance in case of a medical emergency.
A routine doctor visit is usually less than $20. Seeing a specialist could cost $50. These prices are without using insurance.
But if you are rushed to the emergency room and must be admitted to the hospital or need emergency surgery, it could cost thousands of dollars.
I know one man who paid $50,000 for heart surgery in Panama (with no insurance). When I was in the hospital for nine days with COVID, the bill was $15,000!
You have several choices for insurance in Panama:
OPTION 1: You can get insurance that only covers you in Panama. For a 65-year-old, it’s about $117 per month. But there’s a catch… to get this insurance, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID and have fewer than three pre-existing conditions. They will not write a new policy for those over 75 years old. This article covers Panama health insurance options.
OPTION 2: If you live in Panama City, some hospitals offer an insurance plan covering people of any age. There are no age restrictions. They do not require COVID vaccination and are more lenient about pre-existing conditions. If you are overweight, the premium is a 20% increase. A 65-year-old will pay about $180 a month. Learn more about that insurance here.
OPTION 3: You can get international health insurance that covers you worldwide. No COVID vaccines are required, but it will still be harder to get insurance if you have pre-existing conditions. A 65-year-old will pay about $350 per month. The price goes up every year. If you get a higher deductible, you can reduce your monthly expenses.
We list reliable health insurance brokers in the Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide. They can give you more details about your “Panama Only” health insurance options.
Regardless of which insurance you select, choose one to avoid unexpected expenses.
