Hey everyone, it’s Mikhail Thorpe here from (link unavailable) In today’s video, we will look at how you can get top-notch healthcare in Panama for pennies on the dollar. First, make sure you subscribe to this channel and turn on those notifications to get the best info on the expat world every single week.
Importance of Affordable Healthcare
Rising health care costs in the United States and endemic waiting lists in Canada have made some individuals increasingly interested in medical tourism in other countries. Panama, with one of the highest quality healthcare systems in Latin America, is an increasingly attractive option for people.
Overview of Panama’s Healthcare System
The Panamanian healthcare system is both private and public. The public system is divided into two components provided by the government: Caja De Seguro Social (CSS), which is the equivalent of a social security system, and Ministerio De Salud (MINSA), which translates to the Ministry of Health. Residents who work in Panama and pay into coverage receive free treatment by CSS. Meanwhile, MINSA is in place to deal with anyone who does not have coverage by CSS and offers very inexpensive treatment.
Public Healthcare Options
Expat residents who work in Panama may pay in and have coverage from the CSS system, but even if not, they can still use CSS or MINSA clinics on a pay-as-you-go basis. While public healthcare offers reasonable care, most expats prefer private options, though significantly more expensive than a visit to a MINSA clinic or public hospital.
Private Healthcare Options
Private healthcare in Panama is still quite affordable by North American standards. Panamanian doctors frequently speak English, and many attended medical school in the United States or received specialist training internationally. Private hospitals in Panama feature substantially reduced waiting times, a more customer-service-oriented approach on the part of the staff, and more advanced technology and superior medical procedures.
Benefits of Private Healthcare in Panama
Generally, there is a higher standard of medical care and medical equipment. In a study of U.S. retirees living abroad in Mexico and Panama, respondents overwhelmingly described the level of attention and time they received from physicians to be substantially better than what they were used to at home. Those surveyed in this study primarily relied upon private hospitals and found the quality to be similar to what they were used to in the United States at a much lower price.
Discounts and Incentives
By law, Panamanian retirees are entitled to a 20-25% discount on their doctor bills. While the quality of care in Panama is similar to what you might find in North America or Europe, healthcare services cost a fraction of what you might pay elsewhere.
Medical Tourism in Panama
Even at private hospitals, public hospitals are also a reasonable and much cheaper option, but delays or overcrowding may sometimes cause issues. Healthcare insurance plans can be purchased to cover catastrophic care, but many people choose to self-insure because most visits to the doctor are so inexpensive anyway.
Why Choose Panama for Medical Tourism?
Thousands of Canadians die every year while waiting for medical treatment, and countless more suffer unnecessarily, unable to access so-called elective treatments. Why wait a year or two for an MRI in Canada when you could spend a few hundred dollars and get it scanned right away in Panama? With very few private options in Canada, the choice for people who don’t want to wait endlessly is to get on a plane and come down to Panama for excellent healthcare at affordable prices.
Medical Costs in the United States
For Americans, hospital visits can be very expensive, even if you have insurance. Prolonged health problems can mean tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills. While the standard of medical care at American facilities is generally excellent, nobody wants to experience medical bankruptcy. Even just high costs of medical insurance can be a tough pill to swallow. With operations in Panama costing you just a fraction of what you would pay in the United States, medical tourism can be a sound financial choice for many, especially if you don’t have insurance.
Top Hospitals in Panama
If you are an expat in Panama, you can enjoy top-quality healthcare all year round. Between the high standards of care, the fact that many medical professionals in Panama speak English and Spanish, and the reasonable prices, there is much to be recommended about Panamanian healthcare for prospective expats or medical tourists. Panama has many world-class hospitals and capable, foreign-trained doctors that can handle virtually any medical situation. Some of the top hospitals in Panama include:
Hospital Nacional: a private hospital in Panama City that features an emergency room, a 24/7 operating
Hospital Punta Pacifica: a pristine medical facility with state-of-the-art equipment located in downtown Panama City.
Paitilla Hospital: one of the oldest hospitals in Panama, best known for their oncology unit and specialist centers.
Clinica Hospital San Fernando: a highly rated private hospital in Panama City that handles a wide range of medical specialties.
Hospital Nacional: a private hospital in Panama City that features an emergency room, a 24/7 operating room capable of handling all major surgeries, pharmacology department, blood bank, medical imaging, physical therapy, and much more.
David Chiriqui Hospital: a full-service private hospital used by many expats.
Mae Lewis Hospital: another private facility used by many expats.
Dental Care in Panama
Dental care is also significantly less expensive in Panama, and even smaller towns and cities will often have many dental clinics and providers to choose from.
Expat Resources
Expat groups like the ExpatMoney Forum can be a great resource for recommendations and reviews of different doctors, dentists, and clinics.
Approximate Charges for Healthcare Services in Panama
Here are some approximate charges for healthcare services in Panama:
- Doctor consultations and house calls: $45 or less
- Lab test services: 50% of U.S. pricing
- Inpatient services: less than $100 per night
- Teeth cleaning at dentists: around $90
- Eye examinations: free with the purchase of glasses
Prescription Medications in Panama
You can bring any prescription drugs you currently take with you. Should you find that you have left a medication that you need at home, there will be a pharmacy or pharmacy on just about every corner of the city, and they often have an impressive selection of pharmaceuticals. Many medications that require a prescription in the United States or Canada do not require a prescription in Panama. Pharmacy clerks can usually look up medications, and you may be able to have your prescriptions filled without a doctor’s prescription. Should that not be the case, seeing a doctor or ordering a renewal of a prescription will not be an expensive proposition.
Working with a Professional
If relocating to Panama interests you, and you would like to work one-on-one with me on getting out of your home country or setting up a plan B location, then read the important letter linked in the description of this video and fill in an application form to become a private client. My fees are not cheap; however, I can assure you that when you work with a professional firm like ours, the results will be worth it.
Final Thoughts
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Insurance Coverage:
A major share of medicine costs is usually catered for through prepaying by health insurance policies, which are available for purchase in privately owned health insurance plans, the cost of health care being cheaper for people who can afford the insurance premiums.
Prescription Assistance Programs (B):
Currently, there are many non-governmental organizations that provide financial support to PAN AM ERICANS in their Moments of need and these organizations are able to finance the bill for medication for those who are unable to make the payments. You can contact us here.
Price Avoidance Extent and Generic Choices:
The citizens of Panama can ensure that they only use the generic drugs, and they have to bargain for the prices with these drug stores in order that they cut down on their health costs as much as possible. One of the biggest benefits of taking generic drugs, generic drugs tend to be much cheaper than the same brand name drugs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion it would have to be mentioned that the cost associated with medicines in Panama can be quite low than other countries. The Panamanian health care services provide medical services for the public and the private domain, and a variety of medicines. Cost of medicine is determined this by the importation of medicines, the government and patentation of medicines. The situation as far as the availability of medication in Panama is quite satisfactory; most of the pharmacies and networks for distribution of the same are always available. And finally reducing medicine expense in Panama may be a matter of insurance coverage, acquisition of prescription aid and availability of cheap generic medicines to all people.
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