How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Panama — 2026 Guide
Everything you need to choose the right plan. From the $42/mo basic option to $460/mo premium coverage. Based on Panama's insurance market data ($2 billion in premiums, 2024).
Contents
1. Panama's Insurance Market
Panama has a mature insurance market that generated nearly $2 billion in premiums in 2024, with 5.4% growth. Five insurers control approximately 70% of the market:
- ASSA — ~23% of the market. The largest.
- Internacional de Seguros — ~15%. Blue Cross Blue Shield partner.
- MAPFRE — ~14%. Subsidiary of the Spanish insurer.
- SURA — ~8%. Colombian group, 100% digital.
- PALIG (Pan-American Life) — ~8%. US-based group.
There are over 20 active insurers, but for most people in Panama the choice comes down to 3–4 options.
2. Types of Insurance: Local vs. International
The first big decision is between local and international insurance:
Local
- + More affordable (from $21/mo)
- + Spanish-language support
- + Maternity coverage
- - Closed doctor network
- - No USA coverage
- - Slow reimbursement (weeks)
- - Max enrollment age: 55
International
- + Free doctor choice
- + Worldwide coverage + USA
- + Direct payment (PassportCard)
- + Entry age up to 64
- - More expensive (from $42/mo)
- - Support mostly in English
- - No maternity (PassportCard)
3. Local Insurance in Detail
ASSA — The Market Leader
ASSA offers two main health plans. Medic Care (from $71/mo) with $250–350K coverage and a network of 850 doctors and 18 clinics. Panama only + emergency coverage in Central America. MetroBlue Premium+ (from $200–350/mo) with up to $2.5M coverage and limited international extension.
Key limitation: Only network doctors. The best specialist in Panama may not be available to you. Max enrollment age: 55 years.
MAPFRE — 5 Plans to Choose From
From the Basic ($50K coverage, Panama only) to the Elite ($1M, international) and Catastrophic ($1M lifetime, serious illnesses only). Good entry prices but the same closed-network limitation.
SURA — The Digital Option
Plans from $20.79/mo. 100% digital processes. Modern app. Targeted at younger users. Same network limitations as ASSA and MAPFRE.
4. International Insurance in Detail
PassportCard — Insurance with Free Doctor Choice
4 plans (Starter $80, Remote $119, Comfort $200, Premium $350+). Available to anyone in Panama — no special status required. Key innovation: red Visa Debit card with direct payment. Go to ANY doctor, pay with the card. Backed by Allianz. Enrollment up to age 64.
Read the full PassportCard review →
SafetyWing — The Most Affordable
International insurance from $42/mo (basic medical coverage). Remote Health from $206/mo (full health insurance). Unique advantage over others: covers your home country. No age limit. But works on reimbursement, not a card.
Read the full SafetyWing review →
Cigna Global — The Premium Option
230+ years of history. 189 million customers in 200+ countries. Modular system: Silver ($150/mo), Gold ($300/mo), Platinum ($460/mo). Build your own plan. 1.5M+ provider network. No age limit.
5. How to Choose Based on Your Situation
| Your situation | Recommendation | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Young, healthy, doesn't travel | ASSA Basic or SURA | $21–71/mo |
| Family with children | PassportCard Comfort | $200/mo |
| Travels to the USA regularly | PassportCard Remote/Comfort | $119–200/mo |
| Minimal budget + travel | SafetyWing | $42/mo |
| Family that travels frequently | SafetyWing Remote Health | $206/mo |
| Business owner / executive | PassportCard Premium or Cigna Gold | $300–350/mo |
| Over 55 years old | PassportCard (up to 64) | $80–350/mo |
| Over 64 years old | Cigna Global | $150–460/mo |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both local and international insurance at the same time?
Yes. Many people use ASSA Basic for day-to-day local coverage and PassportCard Starter for international travel. Not the most cost-efficient option, but it maximizes coverage.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Local insurers have waiting periods (12–24 months). International insurers generally exclude undeclared pre-existing conditions. Always be honest in your medical declaration.
Does international insurance work at hospitals in Panama?
Yes. PassportCard works at ANY hospital that accepts Visa (virtually all of them). SafetyWing and Cigna work on reimbursement — you go to any hospital, pay, and request reimbursement.
How much does an emergency cost without insurance in Panama?
An emergency consultation: $150–300. One night of hospitalization: $500–2,000. Surgery: $5,000–30,000. Cancer treatment: $50,000–100,000+. Without insurance, these costs come out of your pocket.