Healthcare in Panama
Healthcare in Panama: What Expats Need to Know
Panama has both a public and a private healthcare system. The public system is extremely affordable, but quality and wait times vary depending on location. Most expats choose the private system for its modern hospitals, English-speaking doctors (especially near Panama City), and short wait times. Even with private care, costs are much lower than in the U.S. — specialist visits can be $40–$60, and many medications are significantly cheaper.
Private Insurance & Pre-Existing Conditions
Panama offers affordable local insurance plans for residents that cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescriptions. However, most do not cover pre-existing conditions or have long waiting periods. Because of this, many expats either keep international plans, use Medicare Advantage (where eligible), or simply pay out of pocket for care — which is often manageable due to the lower costs.
Where You Live Matters
Living near Panama City means easier access to top-tier facilities like Punta Pacífica Hospital (affiliated with Johns Hopkins) and Hospital Nacional. These hospitals offer a wide range of specialists and English-speaking staff. In contrast, rural areas and beach towns rely more on smaller clinics for basic care, and expats may need to travel to larger cities like David or Panama City for major treatments.
New U.S. Insurance Partnership (Pending)
A developing agreement between MiniMed and Lakeside Medical Group could soon allow direct billing for select U.S. insurance plans like Medicare Advantage, GEHA, BCBS FEP, and Kaiser. If confirmed, this may eliminate prepaying or reimbursement hassles for expats. Pre-registration would be required.
Quick Prep Checklist:
✅ Research clinics and hospitals near your area
✅ Decide between public, private, or mixed care
✅ Compare local vs. international insurance
✅ Bring medical records and prescriptions
✅ Learn key Spanish words for your conditions and medications
You can live well in Panama — and access to quality, affordable healthcare is a major part of that decision.
