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Panama Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Panama lies on the narrowest part of Central America, and its famous canal connects the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea (and onward to the Atlantic Ocean. The canal was completed in 1914 and proceeds from the operation of the Panama Canal still make up an important part of the country’s economy today. The former Spanish colony achieved independence as part of Colombia in 1821, and then achieved independence from Colombia in 1903. Panama is said to mean “an abundance of fish, trees and butterflies” in an indigenous language. The country is largely made up of rainforest, and is in fact the Western Hemisphere’s second largest rain forest after the Amazon Basin. Panama’s tropical equatorial climate is consistently warm year-round, usually ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius.

As an emerging middle income country, Panama’s national health indicators are generally strong. For instance, life expectancy at 74 years for males and 79 years for females is generally in line with the world’s wealthiest nations. The country spends 8.3 percent of GDP on health care annually, or slightly over USD1,000 per capita. Panamanian health care is very high quality, especially in the urban areas; Punta Pacifica hospital is associated with Johns Hopkins University in the US, and is considered the most high-tech hospital in Latin America. Panama health insurance is generally available at a lower cost than in more developed countries due to laws against frivolous lawsuits against medical malpractice and lower costs of living.

Panama Health Care

Among emerging market countries, Panama still has a relatively high rate of communicable diseases, mostly conditions prevalent in tropical areas. HIV / AIDS is increasing a concern, with 9 cases per 1,000 adults, which is slightly higher than the global average. Tuberculosis is also a problem, with 54 cases per 100,000 population, or 50 percent higher than the Americas regional average. Maternal mortality is an issue which affects 71 of every 100,000 live births, which also exceeds the regional average. Access to maternal care at birth is also marked by inequity; less than 90 percent of Panamanian births are attended by skilled health care personnel, and this number drops dramatically for lower-income Panamanians. The WHO has set a strategic agenda for cooperation with the local Ministry of Health with the goals of: making health care reform part of the national agenda, improving health care infrastructure, environmental health, disease prevention and health care-related information technology.

Panama’s health care workforce is understaffed by regional standards, with only 15 doctors and 28 nurses and midwives per 10,000 population. Rural Panamanians still struggle with access to clean water and sanitation although improvements have been made over the past two decades. Panama health insurance is less costly than that of developed countries, but is still a hardship for the poor. While domestic health insurance is technically available to expatriates, enrolling can be very complicated and service from local insurance brokerages can be unreliable.

Panama Travel Advice

As an important locus of international trade, Panama has always had a significant expatriate population. The Panamanian economy has proven resilient in the wake of the global financial crises, and in addition to maritime related industries, offers a full suite of modern services and serves as a gateway to many Latin American countries. In recent years, tourism has become increasingly important as Panama offers lucrative tax concessions to enterprises developing tourism infrastructure in the country. Before visiting Panama though, a number of health precautions should be taken, including updating routine immunisations, including vaccination against yellow fever, which is required from visitors from countries which have the disease.

Malaria is also prevalent in most parts of Panama. Preventative measures include long sleeved clothing, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or under mosquito nets, and insect repellent. Prophlylactic doses of anti-malarial medication may be prescribed in certain cases, though you should check with a physician in your home country specialising in travel health beforehand. Dengue, leishmaniasis and leptospiros are also prevalent in Central America. Both short term tourists and longer-term expatriates are advised to take an international health insurance plan before visiting Panama. While out of pocket costs are relatively low, local Panama health insurance may not cover the high costs of catastrophic medical events.

Panama Expat Health Insurance

Access to health care is a major concern for expatriates in Panama. The high standard and low cost of basic care is a great bargain, but problems can arise in the case of serious emergencies, terminal illness or surgery. Fortunately, the most common traveller or expatriate health complaints are often simple gastrointestinal complaints, which can be prevented by drinking bottled water and avoiding undercooked meat. But a serious traffic accident, heart attack or cancer may require costly air medical evacuation which can cost tens of thousands of US dollars or more to get treatment that may be unavailable in Panam. Expat health insurance plans can provide extensive coverage benefits, giving you peace of mind that you will have access to high quality healthcare when the unthinkable happens.

However, with so many different international health insurance plans, choosing the best option to suit the needs of your family, company or tour group can be daunting, especially in a foreign country. Fortunately, Global Health Insurance has a dedicated team of advisors to help you make the right decision on your coverage around the world or in Panama. Expat health insurance plans that we work with offer a range of coverage options including dental, maternity, alternative medicine and air medical evacuations, our representatives can find a plan that’s right for you. Contact Global Health Insurance today.