Among the most critical considerations for retirees is access to quality healthcare. We’re more likely to have health issues as we age, and we become more injury-prone. Many retirees prefer to live near a hospital due to the increased likelihood of an accident or an ailment. But what good is a nearby hospital if you can’t use it because you don’t have the correct healthcare program? This post is about just that topic and healthcare in Panama.
A person approaching retirement and considering retiring in Panama will want to know about the healthcare system there. Read on to learn about navigating the system.
A Retiring Expats Guide to Healthcare in Panama
Private vs. Public
Panama does not have universal healthcare in the truest sense of the term. A public healthcare system covers roughly eighty percent of the population through the Social Security Fund (CSS). The rest receive a second-tier option through the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
Healthcare in Panama provides affordable care for Panamanian citizens. The public options for care are accessible to expats on a limited basis. Still, they will not likely be up to the standards of care American and European expats expect.
Also, most expats won’t have access to CSS or MINSA unless they work for a Panamanian company. You must contribute to Social Security and pay taxes to the Panamanian government to have access. Expats can use public medical facilities in emergencies but generally need to access healthcare through private insurance.
As it turns out, private insurance will likely be preferable for most expats anyway. Private insurance allows you access to the top private hospitals in the country. Physicians and technicians in these facilities have American and European training. Most or all staff will be fluent in English as well. Many expats will occasionally need to use lower-tiered healthcare in Panama if they live there for any length of time. However, private healthcare will provide faster care at more comfortable facilities.
Health Insurance for Expats
There are two types of private international insurance for expats.
CIGNA Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans to suit individual needs
- Access to Cigna’s global network of hospitals and doctors
- Convenient customer service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan (GeoBlu)
- Premium benefits, coverage, and service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- Specifically tailored for US citizens living abroad
Private insurance for retirees is the best way to access healthcare in Panama. It provides access to the highest quality care and the most comfortable facilities.
Does Living in Panama Sound Interesting?
If you’re considering a relocation, why not consider Panama? So many others have found exactly what they were looking for in this tropical paradise. If we can help make your dreams come true, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ve been working with expats for years. And we can help you, too. Expats who find a life in Panama find success and a magnificent lifestyle to go with it.