medical insurance

[RONALD OWENS]

I am living in Panama and will need to get major medical coverage. Anyone have experience with providers or can share relative information?

[KENNETH TURNER]

Aloha Ronald,

MS Panama is the Health Insurance of Pan America Life Insurance of Panama
MS Panama has NO restrictions of age and or pre-existing conditions and
offers guaranteed lifetime renewal

Contact:
Carla M. Gonzalez M.
Coordinator of Benefits and Commercial Sales
Tel: 229-1200 / 229-1210
cgonzalez@ms-panama.com

I am 60 yrs old my wife is 59, we received a family plan quote of $75 for me & $50 for her or $125 + 5% Tax
Total: $131.25 per month

Requirements to Apply
1. Complete and submit application
2. Pay initial Premium
3. Laboratory test for those older than 40
4. Medical interview for those over 40
5. Passport or ID Card Copy
6. Passport size photo

Hope this help you.
Best Regards,
Kenneth Kimo Turner

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Dear Ronald,

If you are under 59, chances are you can get a good local plan for $60 to $100 a month. There are some downsides, though—while the local plans are reasonably priced, they may be difficult to obtain if you have preexisting conditions or are over 65. Maximum coverage tends to be low (reflecting the low cost of health care here) and local companies are generally free to change rates and coverage over time.
If you’re between the ages of 65 and 74, you may need to look at international insurances available in Panama; the most common seems to be Bupa International. (Persons 74 and over might also be able to obtain coverage but acceptance rates are low; each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)
If your application is accepted, there is generally no age limit to renew the international policy, which means you can keep it for life. Depending on the plan you select, you can obtain maximum annual coverage of $1 million to $2.5 million—many local plans do not offer these amounts, topping out at $500,000 or even less. (That said, many find that local coverage amounts are fine considering Panamanian prices.) You can also choose whether to buy universal world coverage, coverage in the U.S. and Latin America, or coverage only in Latin America. Deductibles range from zero to $20,000 per person per year, again, depending on the type of coverage you select.
Here is a sample of what the different international coverage types may cost on a yearly basis. (Please remember these are just sample figures and may vary from what you are quoted for your personal situation).
Note that Ms Panama mentioned in the post above is popular but as it is NOT an insurance but rather a hospital membership plan it is NOT government regulated and can vary at any time. That said it is popular particularly in the David/Boquete (Chiriqui) region. Hope this helps.

Regards,

[Author]

Posts