Healthcare & Health Insurance in Panama
Panama offers internationally accredited medical care at a fraction of US costs. Many doctors in Panama City trained at top US institutions and speak English. Here's what you need to know before you move.
Quick Answer
A private doctor visit in Panama costs under $20. A local health insurance plan for a 66-year-old runs about $117/month with no deductible. A documented emergency with surgery came out to $119.80 total. Panama City's top hospitals are affiliated with Johns Hopkins International and the Cleveland Clinic. Many expats self-insure because out-of-pocket costs are that low.
$20
Private doctor visit, no insurance
$117
Monthly health plan (age 66)
$119
Full emergency with surgery (documented case)
Top Hospitals in Panama
Reference Hospitals — 2025
Pacífica Salud (Panama City)
The only Johns Hopkins International-affiliated hospital in Latin America. High specialization, English-speaking staff.
Hospital Paitilla (Panama City)
Affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic. One of the country's most complete diagnostic and surgical centers.
Hospital Santa Fe (Panama City)
Health insurance with no age restriction — important for older applicants declined elsewhere.
Centro Médico Paitilla
Outpatient clinics, labs and specialties adjacent to Hospital Paitilla. Fast appointments.
Hospital Chiriquí (David)
Reference hospital for the entire western region including Boquete and Volcán. Full 24/7 emergency.
Hospital Bocas del Toro
New 24/7 hospital on Isla Colón serving the Bocas archipelago.
Chitré Public Hospital
Most modern and largest hospital on the Azuero Peninsula.
Boquete (new)
Public hospital under construction in Boquete; opening expected 2025–2026.
Real Cost of Medical Care
Panama's medical costs are dramatically lower than in the US — not marginally. A full emergency with surgery that would cost $5,000–$15,000+ in the US came out to $119.80 in a documented case in Panama (ER + on-call surgeon + IV + tests + medications, no insurance used). The table below compares actual market prices as of 2025.
Pensionado visa holders get an additional 10–20% discount on top of these already-low prices. Source: direct market observation, Q3 2025.
Health Insurance Options
Local Panamanian Plan
~$117/mo (age 66)80% of costs covered, 100% hospitalization, no deductible. Covers care at Panamanian hospitals and clinics. The most affordable option for long-term residents. Premiums rise with age.
International Plan
~$85/mo (age 50)No deductible inside Panama; $1,000 deductible for care abroad. Good for expats who travel frequently or may need treatment in the US. Coverage rises with age but so does the premium.
Hospital Santa Fe Plans
No age limitFull plans with no age restriction — the main option for expats 70+ who are declined by standard insurers due to age or pre-existing conditions.
Medicare Advantage (US residents)
Your current planSome Medicare Advantage plans include emergency coverage with direct billing at select Panama hospitals — no prepayment, no reimbursement claims. Standard Medicare Part A/B does not cover routine care abroad. Verify your specific plan.
Self-insure (no premium)
$0/moA real option chosen by many expats given how low out-of-pocket costs are. A full emergency with surgery cost $119.80 in a documented case. Some expats keep a dedicated medical reserve fund of $5,000–$10,000 instead of paying monthly premiums.
Pensionado Discounts on Healthcare
Holders of Panama's Pensionado visa — and any resident of retirement age (women 55+, men 60+) — receive legally mandated discounts on medical services across Panama:
All discounts are mandated by Panamanian law (Law 6 of 1987 and subsequent reforms). Establishments are legally required to apply them. See the full Pensionado benefits list.
What to Expect from Panama's Healthcare
Panama City's top private hospitals — Pacífica Salud (Johns Hopkins) and Hospital Paitilla (Cleveland Clinic) — are on par with US hospital quality. Many physicians trained in the US or Europe and speak English. Equipment and facilities at these hospitals have surprised even US medical professionals who visited.
Outside the capital, care is solid in regional centers like David (Hospital Chiriquí) and Chitré, but specialty care and complex cases are typically referred to Panama City. In Boquete and Volcán, basic care is available locally; emergency cases go to David (roughly 45 minutes). Emergency transport is available.
One notable difference from the US: it is standard practice in Panama for doctors to give patients their personal cell phone number for follow-up questions. This level of direct access is uncommon in US healthcare systems.
Medications are approximately one-third the US price and most are available over the counter at pharmacies — including many drugs that require a prescription in the US. Pensionado visa holders receive an additional 10% discount on prescriptions.
Language: in Panama City's private hospitals, English-speaking doctors and nurses are common. Outside the capital, Spanish is the default. Basic medical Spanish or a translation app goes a long way.
"The level of medical care surprised me. My sister, a nurse in California, traveled here alarmed; once she saw the equipment and the care, she said it was more modern than the hospital where she works."
— Expat resident, emergency experience in Boquete region
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is healthcare in Panama good quality?
- Yes — particularly in Panama City, where the top private hospitals are affiliated with Johns Hopkins International (Pacífica Salud) and the Cleveland Clinic (Hospital Paitilla). Many physicians trained in the US and speak English. Outside the capital, quality is good in regional centers like David and Chitré, but specialty care is typically referred to Panama City.
- Do I need health insurance to live in Panama?
- There is no legal requirement to hold health insurance as an expat resident. Many expats self-insure because out-of-pocket costs are so low — a private doctor visit costs under $20 and a full emergency with surgery was documented at $119.80. That said, health insurance provides peace of mind for major procedures and can cover care abroad. Local plans start around $117/month at age 66.
- Does US Medicare cover care in Panama?
- Standard Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover routine or non-emergency care outside the US. Some Medicare Advantage plans include emergency coverage with direct billing at select Panamanian hospitals — check your specific plan's international coverage section. For comprehensive coverage inside Panama, a local or international supplemental plan is recommended.
- How much do medications cost in Panama?
- Medications in Panama cost approximately one-third of their US price. Most common medications are available over the counter at pharmacies — no prescription required for many drugs that need one in the US. Pensionado visa holders receive an additional 10% discount on prescriptions. Generic equivalents are widely available and clearly labeled.
- What happens if I need care outside Panama City?
- Regional hospitals cover routine care and emergencies. Hospital Chiriquí in David is the main reference for the western highlands (Boquete, Volcán, Cerro Punta). For complex cases or specialist care, patients are typically transferred to Panama City. Private ambulance services and helicopter transfer are available for serious cases.
Ready to plan your move to Panama?
The quiz takes 2 minutes and gives you a personalized starting point — no pressure, no registration.
Find your route →