AMERICAN
PALIG — Pan-American Life Panama: Full Review 2026
The only insurer with local Panamanian license + US coverage + entry up to age 65
🇺🇸 🇵🇦 PALIG is unique in the Panamanian market: license from Panama's Superintendency of Insurance + backed by US group Pan-American Life (New Orleans, since 1911) + US coverage. No local equivalent.
Verdict: The best local plan for over-55s and residents who travel to the US
PALIG fills the gap that no other local insurer fills: Panamanian license, entry up to age 65, US coverage and free doctor choice. The price is high, but there's no local-licensed equivalent.
Why choose PALIG
- +The only LOCAL insurer with US coverage (WorldAccess)
- +Dental included in base plan (no extra cost)
- +Accepts new clients up to age 65
- +115 years of history and US financial backing (A/A+)
- +WorldAccess: free doctor choice in any country
- +Up to $5M annual coverage (WorldAccess premium)
Important limitations
- !No digital app — everything via agent or broker
- !Prices not published online — quote required
- !WorldAccess very expensive from 55+ ($460 to $820+/mo)
- !Health Trust: local closed network, no free choice
- !Pre-existing conditions: 12-24 month wait or exclusion
- !Less known than ASSA, MAPFRE, or Cigna
The Two PALIG Products: Health Trust vs WorldAccess
These are fundamentally different products — make sure you quote the right one for your situation.
PALIG Health Trust
Local insurance with dental included — ideal as a base
Health Trust is PALIG's option for Panama residents who want local insurance: local hospital network, dental in the base plan, maternity (with waiting period), and acceptance up to age 65. Does NOT cover the US. For US coverage, you need WorldAccess.
Highlights
- +Dental included from base plan — no extra cost
- +Accepts up to age 65 (vs 55 for ASSA/SURA)
- +Backed by US group Pan-American Life
- +Maternity available with waiting period
- +Major private hospitals in Panama included
Limitations
- −Closed network — no free doctor choice
- −No US or international coverage
- −Price rises significantly from age 55
- −No digital app — everything via agent
Estimated price by age (Health Trust)
PALIG WorldAccess
Free doctor choice — Panama + Central America + USA — up to $5M
WorldAccess is PALIG's flagship product for those needing comprehensive coverage: free choice of doctor at any clinic, coverage up to $5M, and most importantly — access to US hospitals with a local Panamanian license. There's no local market equivalent.
Why it's unique
- +Only one with Panamanian license + full US coverage
- +Free doctor choice at ANY hospital in the world
- +Up to $5M annual coverage — highest in local market
- +Accepts up to age 65 with continuous renewal
- +Dental included from base plan
- +International medical evacuation covered
Need to know
- −Price rises drastically from 55 to 65 ($460→$820+/mo)
- −No digital app — everything via agent
- −Prices not published online — quote required
- −Pre-existing conditions excluded 12-24 months
Estimated price by age (WorldAccess)
⚠ Indicative price. Actual price depends on chosen deductible ($500/$1,000/$2,500), medical history and exact plan. Request a direct quote.
PALIG WorldAccess vs. Alternatives
| Criteria | PALIG WorldAccess | PassportCard | Cigna Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Panama license | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Max entry age | 65 years | 64 years | No limit |
| US coverage | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full |
| Free doctor choice | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Dental included | ✅ Base | Comfort+ only | Extra module |
| Max coverage | $5M | $5M (Premium) | $1M–unlimited |
| Direct payment (no reimbursement) | ❌ Reimbursement | ✅ Red card | ❌ Reimbursement |
| Modern digital app | ❌ None | ✅ Full app | ⚠️ Basic |
| Price ages 55-59 | ~$460-620/mo | ~$200-280/mo | ~$280-350/mo |
| Enrollment process | Via agent | Online direct | Via broker/online |
PALIG WorldAccess's decisive advantage: local Panamanian license. For permanent residents with retirement or other residence visas, a locally licensed insurer may be legally required.
Who Is PALIG For?
✅ Retirees settling in Panama (ages 55-65)
ASSA and SURA no longer accept them. PALIG is the best local-licensed option for that age range. Health Trust for affordable local coverage, WorldAccess if they also want US coverage for medical visits.
✅ Residents who travel frequently to the US
WorldAccess is the only Panamanian-licensed insurer that covers the US. If you travel 2-3 times a year and want coverage in both Panama and the US with a single local plan: there's no alternative.
✅ Families who want dental included from the base plan
ASSA and MAPFRE don't include dental in basic plans. PALIG Health Trust does. If dental matters to you and you don't want to pay for a higher-tier plan just for that, PALIG Health Trust is the best local option.
✅ Executives who need free doctor choice with local license
WorldAccess allows visiting any doctor at any hospital (Punta Pacífica, Santa Fé...) without referral, with a local license. For those who want the best of local and international without leaving a Panama-regulated insurer.
❌ Tight budget — looking for the most affordable plan
PALIG starts at ~$120/mo and goes up. If budget is the priority, SURA ($21/mo), ASSA ($71/mo) or MAPFRE ($60/mo) are more accessible.
❌ Those who want 100% digital process and modern app
PALIG has no own app or online enrollment process. Everything via agent. If you value the digital experience, PassportCard or SURA are better options.
Frequently Asked Questions about PALIG
What's the difference between PALIG Health Trust and WorldAccess?
Health Trust is a local health plan: covers Panama and Central America with a closed doctor network, includes dental in the base plan. WorldAccess is international: free doctor choice in any country including the US, coverage up to $5M, no closed network. They are two completely different products with different purposes.
Why is PALIG the only local insurer that covers the US?
PALIG (Pan-American Life Insurance Group) is an American company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. While it holds a local license from Panama's Superintendency of Insurance, its US backing allows it to offer international plans with US coverage — something ASSA, MAPFRE, or SURA cannot offer with a local license.
How much does PALIG WorldAccess cost for a 60-year-old?
At ages 60-65, WorldAccess costs approximately $680-820/mo depending on plan and chosen deductible. The price rises significantly with age in this segment. For ages 55-59 the range is $460-620/mo. These are the most expensive local market plans, but the only ones giving $5M coverage + USA with a Panamanian license.
Does PALIG accept pre-existing conditions?
PALIG applies waiting periods of 12-24 months for pre-existing conditions, similar to other local insurers. Declared conditions may be permanently excluded or covered after the waiting period, depending on the medical assessment. Always declare everything honestly — a false declaration voids the policy.
How does PALIG WorldAccess compare to PassportCard?
PALIG WorldAccess has a local Panamanian license (useful for permanent residents), accepts up to age 65, and covers up to $5M with free doctor choice. PassportCard accepts up to 64, works with a direct payment card (no reimbursements), and is easier to use. WorldAccess is more comprehensive but more expensive and complex. PassportCard is more modern in experience but has no local license.
Why does PALIG WorldAccess pricing vary so much by age?
PALIG WorldAccess significantly scales the price from age 55+. This is due to actuarial risk profile — older people are more likely to use insurance. The advantage is that access up to 65 and indefinite policy maintenance compensates this price for many retirees who can no longer access ASSA or SURA.
Is PALIG the right option for you?
Compare PALIG with MAPFRE, PassportCard, Cigna and all other insurance available in Panama.