Medical Tourism in Panama

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Earning the title as the "Hong Kong" or "Dubai" of the Americas due to its significantly lower cost of living and fully "Americanized" culture, Panama is slowly becoming one of the top medical tourism destinations, attracting US and Canadian health travelers due to its proximity and excellent healthcare services, US trained and certified medical staff and attractive natural beauty.

Healthcare System in Panama

Panama's long association with the United States have left a distinctly American footprint into its culture, giving it more than a hundred years advantage over other countries in providing healthcare to American patients using US standards of quality and service. This can be seen in the similarities in facilities and medical procedures and practices, as well as the abundance of US trained and board certified doctors and medical staff.
There is currently one hospital in Panama that is fully certified by the Joint Commissions International. All of the other top hospitals however, most of which are privately owned, are fully certified by local medical accreditation bodies set by the Panamanian government as well as other non-government accreditation bodies. On top of that, most of these hospitals have affiliations and are duly recognized by international medical organizations such as the Johns Hopkins International, Baptist Health International of Miami, Cleveland Clinic, Tulane Health Science Center, Miami Children's Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Harvard Medical Faculty, the Kendall Medical Center and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center among others.

Top Hospitals in Panama for Medical Tourism

Major hospitals in Panama have affiliations with prominent international medical institutions, enabling them to maintain a high quality level not only in their facilities but also in procedures, methodology and technology as well. More prominent among these Panamanian hospitals include:
  • Hospital Punta Pacifica
    This is the only Central American medical facility that is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Medical International and maintains the same high-end standards in facilities, services and staff. It is also the only digitally connected hospital in the region and is the only hospital accredited by the Joint Commissions International.
  • Hospital Nacional

    Starting out as a 10-bed facility, the Hospital Nacional has grown over the years into an 80-bed private healthcare facility with over a hundred specialists and ultra-modern facilities.

  • Clinica Hospital San Fernando
    A private hospital affiliated with the Tulane University, Miami Children's Hospital and the Baptist Health International Miami, the Hospital San Fernando is one of Panama's largest hospitals with 24-hour medical services, facilities that are fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipments.
  • Centro Medico Paitilla
    Located in Panama City, this 160-bed medical facility is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and has been in existence since 1975. It is also a certified training facility for the American Heart Association and was one of only two hospitals that provided healthcare services to US military personnel.

Common Treatments done by Medical Tourists in Panama

Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Panama offer a wide array of procedures and services for medical travelers, which include but are not limited to the following:

Cost of Medical Treatment in Panama

The following are cost comparisons between Medical procedures in Panama and equivalent procedures in the United States: [ sources 1 2 3 ]

US Hospitals

Panama

Average Savings

Medical Procedures

Angioplasty with stent

$19,000 - $21,000

$10,000 - $15,000

25% - 47%

Pace Maker

$4,000 - $6,000

$1,500 - $2,300

50% - 60%

Laparoscopic Hernia

$6,000 - $8,000

$ 3,500 - $4,500

40% - 50%

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

$24,000 - $26,000

$14,000 - $16,000

35% - 40%

Hip Prosthesis

$19,000 - $21,000

$11,000 - $13,000

35% - 40%

Artroscopy

$9,000 - $11,000

$4,000 - $6,000

45% - 55%

Knee Replacement

$19,000 - $21,000

$11,000 - $13,000

35% - 40%

Herniated Disc

$19,000 - $21,000

$6,000 - $7,000

65% - 70%

Carpal Tunnel Release

$6,000 - $8,000

$2,500 - $3,500

55% - 60%

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Neck Lift

$10,000 - $12,000

$2,000 - $3,000

75% - 80%

Face Lift (rhytidectomy)

$10,000 - $12,000

$2,000 - $3,000

75% - 80%

Breast Augmentation/Reduction (Mammoplasty)

$5,500 - $8,000

$3,100 - $4,500

40% - 45%

Breast Lift

$5,000 - $6,000

$3,000 - $4,000

35% - 40%

Liposuction (Lipoplasty)

$4,000 - $6,500

$2,500 - $4,400

30% - 35%

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

$4,000 - $6,000

$1,500 - $2,500

55% - 65%

Buttocks Augmentation

$5,000 - $6,000

$3,500 - $4,500

25% - 30%

Chemical Peel

$900 - $1,100

$450 - $550

45% - 55%

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Intrauterine Insemination

$1,000 - $2,000

$800 - $900

20% - 55%

In Vitro Fertilization

$9,000 - $18,000

$4,000 - $6,000

55% - 70%

In Vitro Fertilization with donated egg

$16,000 - $20,000

$7,000 - $9,000

50% - 55%

Eye / Ophthalmology

Cataract surgery

$5,500 - $6,500

$2,000 - $3,000

50% - 60%

Refractive surgery (Eximer Laser)

$4,500 - $5,500

$1,500 - $2,500

55% - 60%

Glaucoma surgery

$5,500 - $6,500

$1,500 - $2,500

60% - 75%

Refractive surgery with intraocular lens implant

$5,500 - $6,500

$2,000 - $3,000

50% - 60%

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

$4,000 - $5,500

$1,500 - $2,500

60% - 65%

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Root Canal

$900 - $1100

$250 - $350

70% - 75%

Porcelain Crown

$1,000 - $2,000

$450 - $550

55% - 75%

Porcelain Veneers

$1,000 - $2,000

$450 - $550

55% - 75%

Composite Veneers

$600 - $750

$150 - $250

45% - 70%

Dental Implant

$2,000 - $2,500

$900 - $1100

55% - 60%

Periodontal Surgery

$1,000 - $2,000

$450 - $550

55% - 75%

Periodontal Plastic Surgery

$1,000 - $2,000

$450 - $550

55% - 75%

Periodontal Regenerative Procedures

$1,200 - $1,600

$500 - $600

55% - 65%

Malpractice and Liabilities Laws in Panama

The Panamanian system has not adopted the US legalities associated with medical practices, particularly in the area of malpractice. Although doctors are responsible for their activities and performance under the law in this country, they are not required to shoulder the damages incurred during a malpractice case. The result is a lower malpractice insurance pre-requisite, which can be translated into lower procedural costs.

Pros

  • Hospitals in Panama provide high quality health care through a large staff of US-trained doctors, physicians and other medical specialists
  • Techniques, medications, treatments and facilities used are based on the same standards used in the USA
  • Doctors and medical staff can communicate well in English
  • Panama City is considered Central America's safest and most modern city. Even the tap water is safe to drink
  • Panama is relatively close to US and Canada.
  • The currency is the US dollar, so prices can be compared easily.

Cons

  • There is only one JCI-accredited hospital in Panama although a few have already submitted and are currently undergoing the accreditation procedures.
  • Costs of medical procedures are higher compared to other medical tourism destinations, although these are still significantly more economical as compared to the US, Canada and the UK.

Traveling to Panama

Direct flights to Panama City are available from major cities in the US and Canada and this close proximity and shorter travel time makes Panama a destination of choice for medical travelers.
Average estimated travel time in hours
From/To Panama
New York City

5

Los Angeles

7

Miami

2.75

Houston

4

Dallas

4.5

Washington

4.75

Atlanta

4

Toronto

5

Vancouver

8

Entry and Exit Requirements to Panama

USA and Canadian medical travelers with a valid passport that is at least 6 months beyond the traveler's intended last day of stay do not need to get a visa to enter Panama. A tourist card can be purchased upon arrival, allowing the recipient to stay for 90 days in the country.
Other requirements include return tickets, sufficient funds to shoulder the stay, and confirmed accommodations and other targeted facilities. Panamanian immigration laws are very strict so it is advisable to carry your passport with you at all times to show your proof of entry and avoid any complications during your stay.

Statistics for Panama Medical Tourism

Doctors have estimated that there are only hundreds of medical tourists from the United States visiting Panama per year, with some hospitals declaring that they have received at least 400 to 450 international patients within the last four years seeking various medical procedures.
These figures would continue to grow as Americans without health insurance continue to seek healthcare in nearby medical tourism destinations such as Panama. More and more baby boomers are contemplating retiring to this Latin American destination as well as seeking healthcare services and beauty treatments at lower costs.
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