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Medicare is affordable health insurance for US citizens. You must be 65 to sign up. There are no age restrictions and no pre-existing condition restrictions.
I have always read that you cannot use Medicare in Panama. But, I recently discovered that you CAN use Medicare in Panama! You’ll need a “special Medicare Advantage account” that can be used for urgent care or emergencies in Panama. Best of all, there is a $0 additional cost for this special account! Besides Medicare Part A, you’ll need to pay for Medicare Part B, which is currently about $170 per month. For most retirees, their Medicare premium is taken directly out of their Social Security payment.
This news is especially good for United States citizens who have pre-existing conditions because they may not be able to get Panama insurance or get international health insurance. Currently, most Panama insurance companies will not write a new policy for many preexisting conditions or they will exclude them.
In Panama, when you use Medicare, you’ll need to pay the doctor or hospital up front, then file a claim to be reimbursed. Of course, Medicare can also be used in the United States, and it can be used for prescription medications to be mailed to Panama using a mail forwarding company. You can get your medications from Amazon Pharmacy or any other pharmacy that will mail prescriptions.
Because basic medical care is so affordable in Panama, you can just pay for a routine doctor visit or lab work.
But if you have a medical emergency or need urgent care in Panama, you can file a claim with Medicare to be reimbursed.
It may not be necessary to get other insurance in Panama if you have the right Medicare Advantage Plan.
This is how it works: a Panama Relocation Tour alumnus recently wrote that his wife broke her ankle shortly after moving to Panama and needed emergency surgery. They had to pay the hospital, then they filed a claim and were reimbursed by Medicare in less than three months. See this video interview with an expat Medicate Advantage expert for more details.
Being able to use Medicare in Panama is a GAME-CHANGER for many would-be expats!
It costs $0 to switch to the right Medicare Advantage Plan. For most plans, the only fee you’ll pay is what you are already paying for Medicare Part B. There is no additional charge for the special Medicare Advantage Plan.
Most insurance agents, even Medicare specialists, do not know that you can use Medicare in Panama or how to find the right Medicare Advantage plan. Of course, Panama insurance agents cannot help you with Medicare. We recommend two Medicare Advantage experts in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide. They specialize in working with expats to get the right Medicare Advantage plan so you are covered for medical emergencies and urgent care in Panama.
In our Complete Panama Relocation Guide, we have more information and a one-hour video about how you can use Medicare in Panama. You must be careful to pick the right kind of “special account” so you’ll be covered in Panama. We have expert help and guidance in the Complete Panama Relocation Guide.
If you’re not a US citizen or not yet 65, the Complete Panama Relocation Guide also has other very affordable health insurance information for you too! If you’re 60-69, your insurance will cost about $102 monthly.
You really can live better for less in Panama!
Of course, the Complete Panama Relocation Guide also contains all the information you need to know to have a smooth, hassle-free move to Panama.
As Panama Relocation Tour alumni, how do we access the information about setting up a special Medicare account for using Medicare in Panama ??
Debe, I will send you an email with the information
How do we access the information about setting up a special Medicare account for using Medicare in Panama?? This information should be made public Jackie Lange. Health and financial welfare should not have a price tag in front it. It needs to be shared publicly with the expat community.
see the contact in the article
https://panamarelocationtours.com/you-can-use-medicare-in-panama
I’m 65 and have no pre-existing conditions (although I didn’t take the “jab”) so I’m trying to compare Panama insurance vs Medicare Advantage. To correct your article, Part B premium is currently $170.44 per month. So would the Panama insurance be cheaper?
BTW- Since costs are so cheap in Panama, I’m only looking for catastrophic coverage. I was thinking about a heart attack of kidney replacement (kind of thing). Cancer maybe (for comparison)…. But a previous article of your listed a friend who had a heat attack who had an ending bill of $1000??? So I’m wondering what a REAL emergency (cost-wise) might be.
The cost of emergency care depends on if you go to a public hospital or a private hospital.
hello ms jackie i am living in panama how can i get my medicare in panama. Ineed your help. Thank you
You can use Medicare for urgent care and emergencies and for getting your medications — the details are at https://panamarelocationtours.com/guide
How do you assess the video? I see you have to purchase the guide. Thank you
Medicare can be used in Panama for urgent care and emergencies if you have the right Medicare Advantage Plan. Contact Jeff Goble at 1-916-601-7128 or
[email protected] for details about the right Medicare Advantage plan. There is NO CHARGE for his services or switching to the right advantage plan.
My wife and I are American citizens who are living in Panama for the past 14 years age 80. We have medicare part A and part B , but was told we could not use medicare here in Panama. We had to go to Miami so we could use it for our eye operations because we were not covered here. I need the information to acquire the the special account to get the medicare for use here in Panama.
Hello Earnest. I will send you the contact of the expat Medicare specialist to help you get the right Medicare Advantage plan. It costs $0 to use their services or to get the right Medicare plan.
When I went back to live in Panama I got sick and went to San Fernando Hospital. I presented my Visa card and was admitted. The hospital later helped me file the claim and I was reimbursed. Is this a different was to use Medicare?
did they help you file a claim with Medicare? That’s great!
How does one apply to be able to use Medicare here in Panama?
Medicare can only be used for urgent care or emergencies in Panama. You need the right Medicare Advantage plan to have coverage in Panama.
Moving to Panama on the 12 of May. Need information about using Medicare A and B
You will need the right Medicare Advantage Plan, then it can be used for urgent care and emergencies in Panama.
What if you are algo a trycare Member
you can use Tricare in Panama https://panamarelocationtours.com/veterans-medical-benefits-in-panama
This is a good thing for the People traveling from the USA
I am Civil service Retired have Medicare A&B plus Blue Cross Blue Shield , this can only be used in cases of emergencies?
If your Blue Cross Blue Shield is the right Medicare Advantage Plan, it can be used for urgent care and emergencies in Panama.
Tricare is very limited in Panama, it is only accepted at Hospital Brisas. You cannot use MEDICARE in Panama. That rumour has been around for years and is not true. The ONLY time MEDICARE is accepted is if you are retired as a US Federal Employee, have US FEDERAL Blue Cross Blue Shield and use it at Hospital Nacional. NONE of the private hospitals will accept MEDICARE ADVANTAGE for you day to day medical needs. Before you spend a dime, please email the US Embassy to confirm your MEDICARE benefits in Panama at: [email protected] or call one of the Private Hospitals to determine if they will take it: Paitilla, Punta Pacifica, Panama CLinic, San Fernando or Hospital National.
Victoria, you are mistaken. Tricare is also accepted at Hospital Chiriqui and Hospital Mae Lewis in David. Hospital Nacional and Hospital Brisas in Panama City also accept TriCare. Medicare covers medical emergencies for the first 90 days you are you tof the US. You have to pay the hospital up front then file a claim to be reimbursed. A client fell and broke her hip. She had to have emergency surgery in Panama. She sent all the receipt to Medicare and they reimbursed her within 90 days. Another client broke her ankle 6 month after moving to Panama. Medicare reimbursed her 100% of her hospital expenses. For those living in Panama full time, you need Medicare Advantage. It does not have a time limit like Medicare or Medigap does. Medicare Advantage only covers medical emergencies. It does not cover routine doctor visits
I have Medicare part A and part B and C. Please explain to me what do I have to do so I can use my Medicare in Panama. I have no health insurance in Panama I am 61. My husband retires around October we are retiring in Panama. I am in Panama at this moment looking to see if is good for us please I need your advise.
Hello Mary. Medicare can be used in Panama for urgent care and emergencies if you have the right Medicare Advantage Plan. Contact Jeff Goble at 1-916-601-7128 or
[email protected]
Afternoon Ms. Lange,
Thanks for sharing this information that it is critical to us, more so for those foreseen thing from a proactive approach, health care services.
This information helps also and the financial side not having to pay for two separate insurance coverage.
Much love to you and love ones, thanks.
I relocated to Panama from San Antonio TX in 2015. I had a Tricare account which during the time of movement, I was for whatever reason cancelled and someone had indicated that I had decline. I called Tricare to reinstate myself but was advice that due to my age(70), I must know get Medicare part B. I have not being succesfull, in doing so after so many calls. I wonder if you have means for me to re-enrolled. I am a retired Army veteran who served 23yrs of service. Thank you.
HI Jose It is required to have Medicare Part B to have Tricare. Contact a VSO (Veteran Service Officer) for help getting reinstated. See this list of VSO in Panama
http://vsooverseas.com/vso/
I’m a USA citizen and I’m 71 years old. I spend the winter months in Barbados, can I use my Medicare here? Please send me any information you may have for Barbados.
Thank you, Marjorie
If you have the right Medicare Advantage plan, you can use it in Barbados. Join us for a Livestream on Saturday May 7th to learn more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPW9jurozPM
Want to know everything about medicare account to be used in panamá
Join us for the Livestream on Saturday, May 7th at 5 pm Central to learn everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPW9jurozPM
I’ll like to know how I can use my Medicare in Panamá because I was told my Medicare card was not good.
Be on the Livestream Saturday, May 7th to learn how
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPW9jurozPM
Hello Jackie,
Hope you can help us out. My brother is Panamanian and living here in Arraijan. He is a naturalizedAmerican Citizen but we are not sure if he can use or have Medicare Part A or B even thou he receives his Social Security Check. I believe he doest not have a current plan as he is not sure about it and i dont see him having his AARP Medicare Advantage United Healthcare card like i do. (Im on vacation here in Panama as i live in Dallas)
Can you please guide us? By the way, calling that number of Jeff Goble conect you with a person telling you to call 199. Not too much help there. Thank you.
If Medicare is not being taken out of your brothers Social Security, then he does not have it.
You can se up a free consultation with Jeff to help your brother get set up. Go to
https://phone-meeting-with-jeff-goble.appointlet.com/
How do I go about seing someone to guide me in this process.
Of doing the forms etc. Not to good at this.
Contact Jeff to help you with the process. There is no charge for his service — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPW9jurozPM
I lived and worked in Panama for several years. In that time I was hospitalized twice. I never saw a bill.
The public hospital used to have no charge for most things. Now there is a minimal fee for services.
Do I have to change my regular Medicare to an “HMO” Medicare Advantage plan? So if I ever go to the U.S. I can only be treated by physicians and in hospitals which are listed on the Medicare Advantage roster?
Also, will I be reimbursed only the 80% of the amount approved by Medicare? I don’t think Hospitals here in Panama will ride off the difference from the actual bill and the Medicare approved amount like they do in the U.S.
And what about some procedures that are needed but are not considered “emergency care” ex: colonoscopies, cancer treatment etc.
If you have the right Medicare Advantage plan, it covers 100% of the cost of urgent care or emergencies in Panama. It does not cover any other medical needs or medications in Panama.