The excellent quality of healthcare available in Panama is reason enough to move there.  Of all the countries in Latin America, Panama ranks at the top for its care, hospitals, prescription costs and dentistry costs.   The construction of the Panama Canal is one of the reasons Panama ranks so highly.  With the extensive labor force imported for the construction of the Canal, sanitation programs and medical facilities of the highest level were established.  Those standards continue today.

While there are excellent hospitals in Panama City, which we will cover, it is also important to note that the outlying areas have the same level of facilities available.  Many of the Panamanian physicians are U.S. trained and speak English.

If you consider that the famed John Hopkins Hospital has an affiliate hospital in Panama City called the Hospital Punta Pacifica, then you will understand the level of medical care available.  
 
Another hospital with American affiliations is the San Fernando Hospital, with links to Miami Children’s Hospital, Tulane University in New Orleans and Miami’s Baptist Health Center.

Obtaining private health insurance in Panama is suggested since expats will not be able to subscribe to the government-run hospital and medical services.  However, prices are quite reasonable, and nowhere approach the cost of private healthcare in America. You will be able to get health insurance from one of the many insurance brokers doing business in Panama. 

Paying out-of-pocket for your medical needs is a good way to save money, and to lower the cost of your private insurance.  Use the private insurance for major medical costs, or catastrophe coverage.  A doctor’s visit will rarely run more than $25US for a GP and $50US is considered high for a specialist. If you hold a Pensionado Visa, then your ID card will entitle you to up to 15% off hospital bills (if no insurance applies), 10% off prescription medicines, 20% off doctors' consultations and 15% off dental and eye exams!

Prescription drugs are also low-cost and easily available in Panama.  Many prescription drugs are available over-the-counter. It is suggested that if you are traveling to Panama, bring a translation of your prescription with you and have the full name of the medication written out, not its brand name, just in case you have an emergency.