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If you are planning to emigrate to Panama, medical care may be one of your primary concerns. Panama has one of the best healthcare systems in Central America. Compared to private health care in the United States, Panama is reasonably priced. However, as a foreigner, relocating to Panama, you have three choices:
- private health insurance, to cover the cost of private healthcare in Panama;
- paying directly for your private healthcare in Panama (self-insured);
- paying directly for attention through the public health system.
Public & private healthcare in Panama
Panama has three tiers to the health care system:
- Private hospitals, clinics & medical attention
- Caja de Seguro Social – social security hospitals & clinics, only available to those who pay Social Security and are up to date with their quotas
- Public health care system – Ministerio de Salud (MINSA)
By far, you find the best care in private hospitals and medical treatment facilities.
Nonetheless, if you live «in the interior» – some small town off the beaten path, you are limited to the local public healthcare clinic. These are «Ministerio de Salud» clinics, where an appointment will cost $1.00! On the down-side, these clinics are often understaffed and underpaid! Bureaucracy plagues the system – patients attended in order of arrival and possibly waiting 2 hours before seeing a doctor. At the same time, should you need emergency surgery in Hospital Santo Tomás, you will probably go to the head of the queue (as long as it is truly an emergency). The worst that can happen is that it’s only somewhat of an emergency, and so you wait for two hours while they take care of the real emergency.
Private medical care is what most middle class, upper class, and expats use – paid for with medical insurance. There is also a growing medical tourism trade in Panama.
The principal private hospitals in Panama City are:
- Punta Pacifica (tied to John Hopkins)
- Paitilla Hospital
- Hospital Nacional (in my opinion, the best service)
- San Fernando Hospital
Check out your prescriptions
One of the few caveats that I mention is prescription medicines. While medicines are in many cases less expensive than in the US, this is not always true. Additionally, some specialised medicines are not readily available here. If you have any rare condition, check the availability in pharmacies of your medications before moving down, or coordinate to bring your supply with you.
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For more information regarding the health sector in Panama, see the following resources: