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Panama Expat Health Insurance / Healthcare System News |
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Panama is the southernmost country of Central America, with the Caribbean sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, neighboring countries are Colombia to the southeast and Costa Rica to the northwest.
Panama City has a number of good private hospitals and clinics; however, the medical facilities outside the capital are limited. Public healthcare in Panama has two separate bodies who mange the health care system in the country; Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud MINSA) and the Social Security System (Caja de Seguro Social CSS). The MINSA receives its funding from the Government via the general budget and CSS is funded with income from taxes on workers wages. Many physicians who work within the public health care sector will also work in the private sector, and share their time between both. After students have completed their medical studies and graduate they are required to pass through a 2 year paid internship in the public sector, and in doing so they receive an unrestricted license to practice.
The health care system in Panama has mixed reviews, with some criticizing it because it is inefficient and complicated. However, some say the health care is very accessible to the urban and rural public. Generally the cost of health care is cheap compared to developed nations; with prescription medication low as manufactures price them for the Panamanian market. Foreigners and expatriates living in Panama will be responsible for any payment of medical treatment if they are admitted to a private or public hospital. Expatriate healthcare in Panama may not be of the standard foreigners expect. As such, It is strongly recommend when traveling to Panama you obtain a comprehensive international health insurance policy.
Panama is considered a country whose economy is stable and has a sustainable growth rate based on the service sector highly entwined with international trade. However, approximately 30% of the population live in poverty. It is reported the morbidity and mortality profiles indicate disease and death to be closely associated with lifestyle and unhealthy behavior, including accidents and violence which are common in the urban districts. This has led to a focus on investment in healthcare in larger towns and cities in Panama leaving vast populations from indigenous and rural areas without health services. Currently the government of Panama is concentrating on improving the health care system in the rural areas but no significant advances have been made yet.
Even with the health care in the cities is of a high standard it is strongly advised comprehensive health insurance is taken out before leaving for Panama because some eventualities such as emergency evacuation are extremely costly.
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Panama Expat Health Insurance |
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If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness for yourself and your family while traveling to Panama, expat health insurance plan will be the optimal solution for you. Plans can be tailored-made to give you flexibility, meet your individual needs, and may include benefits such as travel, maternity, dental and many other conditions. Should you require further information on Panama, expat health insurance, or receive a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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