HomeHealth insurance
Health · Individual, family and international
Health insurance in Panama.
Private healthcare in Panama is expensive, and emergencies don't give notice. I help you choose a plan with a premium you can keep up with and benefits that pay when you need them, with no surprises in the exclusions.
- No medical exam required for applicants under 50
- Local or international coverage, with freedom to choose your provider
- Maternity, hospital stays and surgery
- Claims and reimbursement support, every time
Options
Three ways to protect your health.
Not everyone needs the same thing. These are the options I quote most often; we'll figure out which one fits you when we talk.
Individual or family health
For you, your partner and your kids, with care at Panama's private clinics and hospitals.
- Hospital stays and surgery
- Low copays for office visits, labs and diagnostics
- Emergency care after an accident
- Maternity and newborn care
- No medical exam required under 50
International major medical
For people who want to choose any hospital and doctor worldwide, or who travel often.
- Annual maximums from $1,000,000
- Freedom to choose any provider
- Worldwide coverage
- Second medical opinion
- No medical exam required, depending on age
Health and life in one plan
A single policy that covers your medical bills and includes life insurance for your family.
- Up to $500,000 annual maximum, guaranteed renewable
- Life insurance included
- One of the largest provider networks in the country
- Telehealth with nutritionists and psychologists
- For Panamanians and resident expats
Benefits, annual maximums and underwriting requirements vary by carrier, plan and age. I'll confirm them in writing before you apply.
Before you rely on it
Covered through work? Read this.
Group insurance from your job is a great benefit, but it has two catches almost nobody explains:
- It's temporary. The day you resign, get laid off or retire, your coverage ends.
- What you're diagnosed with there follows you. If high blood pressure, diabetes or another condition shows up while you're on the group plan, another insurer will likely exclude it later.
There's nothing wrong with having two policies. What's wrong is being left with none right when you need it.
Maternity
Plan ahead.
Coverage for vaginal delivery or C-section, prenatal visits and ultrasounds usually comes with a 12-month waiting period from the policy's effective date.
If you're thinking of growing your family, the best time to get covered is now, not when the news arrives.
When you need it
How a claim works, and what I do.
Most problems with insurance show up the day you use it. That's why I'm with you on both routes.
Planned surgery or hospital stay
- Your doctor orders the procedure and gives you the order with the diagnosis.
- Pre-authorization is requested from the carrier before the date.
- The carrier approves it and states what's covered and your share under the plan.
- You're treated at an in-network hospital, usually without paying the full bill upfront.
What I do: check that the order is complete, follow up on the pre-authorization and explain the approved amount before you go in.
Reimbursement claims
- You pay for the visit, test or medication, and keep invoices and prescriptions.
- You fill out the carrier's claim form.
- You submit everything within the deadline set by your policy.
- The carrier reimburses you what your plan covers, minus deductible and copay.
What I do: tell you exactly which documents are needed so the claim isn't sent back, submit it with you and follow it until you're paid.
Exact steps and deadlines depend on each carrier and policy.
Plain language
Three words to understand before you sign.
This is where most of the surprises hide.
- Deductible
- What you pay first, before the plan starts paying. A higher deductible lowers your premium, but raises your out-of-pocket costs when you have a claim.
- Copay
- A flat fee you pay for each office visit, lab or test, for example $10 or $15. The plan pays the rest.
- Coinsurance
- The percentage of covered costs you share after the deductible, for example 80/20, usually up to an annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Guides
Decide with the numbers in front of you.
How much does health insurance cost in Panama?
What drives the premium, what people pay on average and how to lower it without being underinsured.6 min readRead the guide Health insuranceDeductible, copay and coinsurance, with a calculator
The terms where most surprises hide, and what you'd pay out of pocket for surgery.5 min readRead the guideFAQ
About health insurance.
How much does health insurance cost in Panama?
It mainly depends on your age, how many people you include, the deductible you choose, and whether you want coverage only in Panama or internationally. With that information I can quote you the same day and show you two or three options with real prices.
Can I get insured if I'm a foreigner?
Yes. There are plans for foreigners living in Panama, and some don't require a medical exam if you're under 50.
What about conditions I already have?
Pre-existing conditions must be disclosed on the application. Depending on the carrier, they may be covered after a waiting period, covered with an extra premium, or excluded by rider. Full disclosure is what keeps a claim from being denied later, and I'll help you get it right.
What is the annual maximum (sum insured)?
It's the most the plan will pay for you, usually per policy year. Given what a hospital stay or surgery costs in Panama, it shouldn't be low.
Can I use my insurance outside Panama?
Local plans usually cover emergencies abroad up to a sub-limit. If you travel often or want elective care abroad, an international major medical plan is the right fit.
When can I start using it?
Accidental injuries are usually covered from the effective date. Other benefits, like maternity or some elective surgeries, have waiting periods. I'll give you the details in writing before you sign.
Let's talk
Tell me what you need. I'll get back to you today.
No endless forms. Send me a message, we talk for fifteen minutes, and I'll tell you what your options are and what they cost.