2026 Expat Guide
Healthcare in Panama: Your Options and What They Cost
After the visa, health insurance is the question we hear most from Americans thinking about Panama. The good news is that private care here is excellent and costs much less than in the US. The part people miss is timing: your age when you first enroll decides which plans you can get. This page lays out the options as plainly as we can.
How healthcare works here
Most expats and retirees in Panama use private hospitals and clinics. In Panama City, Pacífica Salud (affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, with hospitals in Punta Pacífica and Costa del Este), Centro Médico Paitilla and Hospital Nacional are the names you'll hear most. English is common at the larger hospitals, and you can usually see a specialist within days, not months.
The public system, the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), is built mainly for people who work in Panama. Foreigners can join voluntarily, but only within certain age limits, and care is in Spanish with longer waits.
Outside Panama City, hospitals are fewer and more basic. Wherever you live, make sure your coverage includes the capital.
A routine private doctor visit typically costs $20 – $75.
Your main options
| Option | What it covers | Approx. monthly cost per person (around age 60) | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital network plan | Care inside one private hospital group | $144 – $232 | Some accept new members at any age, but you're tied to that hospital group |
| Local private insurance (Pan-American Life, ASSA, MAPFRE and others) | Most private hospitals in Panama, with direct billing | $250 – $415 | Panama only. Most stop accepting new applicants between 65 and 70. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or have a waiting period |
| International insurance | Panama and other countries | $150 – $300 | Care in the US is often limited to emergencies unless you pay more |
| CSS voluntary enrollment | Panama's public system, plus a pension contribution | From $110 | Men must join before 62 and women before 57. Requires a medical exam, and applications can be denied |
| Clinic membership | Doctor visits, lab work and basic tests at a clinic network | About $22 | Outpatient only. Works best alongside a hospital plan or insurance |
These are published 2026 ranges, not quotes. Your premium depends on your age, health history, deductible and network.
What a couple around 60 might pay
For two people around 60, expect roughly $290 to $830 a month, depending on the type of plan:
| Approach | Both of you, per month |
|---|---|
| Two hospital network plans | $290 – $460 |
| Two international plans | $300 – $600 |
| Two local private insurance plans | $500 – $830 |
| Add a clinic membership for both | about $44 more |
Why age 65 matters
Most local insurers stop taking new applicants somewhere between 65 and 70, and your health history gets harder to insure with every year. If you're in your late 50s or early 60s and seriously considering Panama, getting quotes early is one of the most useful things you can do, even before you decide.
What the Pensionado discount does, and doesn't do
If you live here on the Pensionado visa, Panamanian law gives you 20% off medical consultations, 15% off private hospital bills and a discount on prescriptions. It's a real saving on everyday care.
It is not insurance. The hospital discount helps most on bills you pay yourself, and a serious illness or surgery is still expensive without coverage. Ask your insurer how the discount applies to your plan.
What we tell every client
- Get quotes before you decide, so you're comparing real numbers.
- Don't leave a gap. Keep your US coverage until your Panama policy starts, or pre-existing conditions may be held against you.
- Check that the hospitals near the home you're considering are in the network.
- Be completely honest on the application. It protects your claims later.
- If you'll travel back to the US often, plan for that separately. A Panama-only plan won't cover you there.
- Medicare generally doesn't pay for care outside the US. Get US advice on your Medicare choices as you approach 65.
When Panama may not be the right fit
We'd rather tell you now than after you've moved. If you're over 70 with ongoing health conditions, private insurance can be hard to get, and you may be relying on hospital plans or paying out of pocket. If having Medicare cover your care matters a lot to you, that won't work here. We'll talk through both honestly in a consultation.
Healthcare in Panama – FAQ
Is the Pensionado visa enough to cover my healthcare?
No. It gives you discounts, not coverage. Most retirees pair it with a private plan.
Can I use Medicare in Panama?
Generally no. Medicare doesn't pay for care outside the US.
Do I need health insurance to get residency?
It isn't a standard requirement for the Pensionado visa, and our attorney confirms the current document list for each client. Even so, we strongly recommend coverage.
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
Local insurers may exclude it or apply a waiting period. International plans review it case by case. Disclose everything and compare offers.
Is care good outside Panama City?
Basic care is available in larger towns, but serious cases usually come to the capital.
Want help comparing your options?
We work with licensed insurance brokers in Panama to get you real quotes for your age and situation, and we make sure your coverage starts the day you arrive.
Turnkey Panamá is not an insurance company. Plans are quoted and sold by licensed brokers. Information current as of October 2026.