Let us first say there is no shortage of competent physicians in Panama. Panama itself has two medical schools and two dentals schools and please bear in mind that the country only has 2.7 million people.
Panama has specialists available in all the specialties to be found in the USA, Canada or the EU. The differences between these countries and Panama when it comes to seeing a specialist are vast. Let me explain. I went to see an ENT doctor once in a clinic in Panama and he spent almost one full hour with me and I was only charged $25.00. Yes he was able to talk to me in English just fine. In the USA, I would have been charged about $100.00 and would've been lucky if he spent 15 minutes with me. Some Panama physicians have studied abroad (particularly the U.S.) until time to serve their internship. Then, if practicing medicine in Panama is important the Panamanian government requires intern to complete their residency in Panama. Some Panama doctors are American Board Certified in fact and some even have American Medical Licenses. It easy to correctly assume, the doctors in Panama are excellent. Unlike in the U.S., where medicine has become ‘Big Money Game’ the doctors in Panama are afforded the luxury of still being able to CARE about their patients rather than their medical malpractice insurance rates.
Cost and Refilling Existing Prescriptions in Panama
We have experienced being able to take our empty prescription bottles into the local pharmacy and have them refilled without any questions, hassles or unnecessary and costly trips to the Doctor for a refill. The only exception to this is serious narcotics like heavy pain meds, antibiotics and it seems most other medications can be bought over-the-counter. Are you aware that soon in the U.S., most vitamins and supplements will require a doctor's prescription? For example, Vitamin C of more than 200 mg will be a prescription item as it is already in the U.K. Our experiences with the ease and availability of refilling prescriptions added great comfort to our lives. My husband’s eye medicine runs around $90/month self insured state side costs and is about 1/3 the cost in panama for same medicine, same manufacturer. Many medications will run about 30% to 40% of what they cost in the USA with no difference in the medicine.
In addition to the already much reduced price as compared to the prescription costs in the U.S., not to be forgotten is the 10% discount given for many services to individuals with Pensionado visas, plus not having to keep paying the Doctor for refills.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.panamaexpertos.com
http://www.panamaexpertos.com/info.php?page=content/medical_care_and_insurance
http://www.panamaexpertos.com/info.php?page=content/real_estate_overview
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