By Jessica Ramesch
For International Living
What’s the secret to being happy, healthy, wealthy and wise? I won’t go as far as to say that moving to Panama will solve all your problems. But if accessing good quality healthcare is important to you, then the affordable healthcare in Panama will make it easy for you focus on the other aspects of a retirement in paradise.
That’s why so many Americans—and Canadians and Europeans—are moving here. It’s one of the region’s most modern nations (if not the most modern nation) and the healthcare is famously good.
Linda McKee, an expat living in the province of Chiriqui, says Panamanian healthcare compares favorably to that of any First World country. “It’s one of the best reasons to visit or retire here,” she says.
Happy
“No system is perfect…and of course there are those who have had less-than-perfect experiences here,” says Linda. “But, back home, were you able to reach your doctor at home on a weekend? I had never had that experience until I came to Panama…and most of the people I talked to hadn’t either.”
Most expats would agree that healthcare in Panama is excellent across the board. From the availability of personalized care to the many insurance alternatives, this tiny country is impressive (even from a First World perspective).
Healthy
Linda’s husband, Eric, can attest to that. During a routine procedure, his doctor discovered a small tumor, and suggested some tests to determine whether it was malignant. To his surprise, the doctor ran the tests right away. Two days later, the doctor called with good news: the tumor was benign.
Just a couple of days later, Eric had the growth removed. He paid a little over $200, and this included the doctor’s fee, hospital fees, a lab test, and the anesthesiologist’s fee. Says Linda: “The nursing staff was great, the hospital modern and well-equipped, and the waiting time almost non-existent.”
Worrying about cancer, says Eric, is stressful enough, and the thought of waiting would have been unbearable. Back home, he could have waited for days or even weeks for the test results. “Getting everything done quickly was a great relief.”
“It was as positive an experience as it could have been under the circumstances,” says Eric. “The doctor was compassionate and professional…I couldn’t believe how quickly and efficiently my problem was handled.”
Eric’s is just one of many positive expat stories you’ll hear if you come to Panama. Certainly no country has perfect healthcare, and there are those that find plenty to gripe about (yes, even here in “paradise”). Still, the fact is that Panama has a lot going for it.
Panama boasts a large number of bilingual doctors—many of them trained in the U.S. or Canada. It is also home to excellent hospitals, including the Johns Hopkins-affiliated Punta Pacifica hospital. The most technologically advanced hospital in Latin America, Punta Pacifica is the only Johns-Hopkins affiliate in the region. Add to that a wide range of clinics dealing in virtually every specialty imaginable—from dental care to cosmetic surgery—and you start to get the picture.
Wealthy
That’s reassuring information for English-speaking expats who come here seeking a low-cost, high-quality lifestyle. Plus, residents here on the world-famous Pensioner’s visa get discounts of 10% to 20% on everything from medical consults to prescription medication. The savings can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
…and Wise
I’ll talk more about healthcare in Panama at the Live & Invest in Panama Seminar 2010 in April.