Health Insurance in Panama: All 11 Providers, One Place
Eleven companies sell health insurance in Panama. Two are premium international, three are local with their own networks, two are accessible international options, one is a medical membership, and the rest cover specific profiles. None is perfect for everyone. This guide tells you which wins in your situation — with real prices and no sponsorship.
All 11 Providers
Ranked by independent rating, highest to lowest
PassportCard
InternationalThe red card. Any doctor, direct payment.
From
$80/mo
up to age 64
Rating
Excellent
The only private insurer accepting new members up to 64 with lifetime renewal. Direct payment via Allianz-backed Visa card — no upfront costs.
Best for
Expats, freelancers, people aged 55-64
Not recommended if
Families looking for the lowest price
Strengths
- ✓Free doctor choice (no closed network)
- ✓Real-time payment via Visa Debit
- ✓Coverage in 180+ countries
- ✓Accepts new members up to age 64
Weaknesses
- –No dental coverage
- –No maternity (except emergencies)
- –Higher price than local insurance
Available plans
Cigna Global
International PremiumFor executives living across multiple countries.
From
$150/mo
no age limit
Rating
Excellent
Modular coverage system. 1.5 million providers in 190 countries. No entry age limit.
Best for
Multinational executives, high-income expat families, frequent travelers
Not recommended if
Price-sensitive buyers; people living solely in Panama
Strengths
- ✓No entry age limit
- ✓Global network (190 countries, one phone number)
- ✓Modular coverage — pay for what you need
- ✓Top-tier customer service
Weaknesses
- –Most expensive on the market
- –Overkill if you only live in Panama
- –Comparing modular plans is complex
Available plans
Bupa Global
International Premium38 million customers. The British giant.
From
$300/mo
no age limit
Rating
Very good
Trustpilot 4.4/5 (388 reviews). Direct competitor to Cigna in the premium segment. 190 countries, no age limit.
Best for
European expats, premium families, those who prefer a globally recognized brand
Not recommended if
Price-sensitive buyers; people who don't travel outside Panama
Strengths
- ✓No entry age limit
- ✓190 countries coverage
- ✓Strong global reputation (Trustpilot 4.4)
- ✓Wide first-tier hospital network
Weaknesses
- –Higher entry price than Cigna
- –Less known in Latin America
- –Mostly contracted via broker
Available plans
PALIG
International / LocalPan-American Life. 115 years, local license in Panama.
From
$150/mo
up to age 65
Rating
Good
The only international insurer with Panama Insurance Superintendency license and entry up to age 65. A bridge between international and local coverage.
Best for
Panama residents wanting international coverage with local license, people aged 56-65
Not recommended if
Those prioritizing a wide local clinic network; tight budgets
Strengths
- ✓Locally licensed in Panama (legal for residents)
- ✓Accepts entry up to age 65
- ✓$5M annual coverage (WorldAccess)
- ✓115 years of history, #5 in the Panama market
Weaknesses
- –Less known than Cigna or Bupa
- –Contracted via specialized agents
- –Smaller local clinic network than ASSA
Available plans
MAPFRE Salud
LocalSolid local option. 30 years in Panama, fair price.
From
$60/mo
up to age 65 (entry)
Rating
Good
Panama's second-largest insurer. 5 plan tiers up to $1M lifetime coverage. Modern mobile app, better digitalization than ASSA.
Best for
Panamanian families, residents under 65 with moderate budget
Not recommended if
People 65+; anyone needing coverage outside Panama
Strengths
- ✓Competitive family pricing
- ✓5 plan tiers (basic to catastrophic)
- ✓Modern mobile app
- ✓Backed by global MAPFRE Spain
Weaknesses
- –Age 65 entry cutoff
- –No international coverage
- –Smaller clinic network than ASSA outside the capital
Available plans
ASSA
LocalPanama's largest. 80 years, unmatched network.
From
$71/mo
up to age 55 (entry)
Rating
Good
Panama's market leader with 850+ doctors and 18 own clinics nationwide. Mature MyASSA app. Widest coverage outside the capital.
Best for
Families outside Panama City, anyone prioritizing widest national network
Not recommended if
People 55+; anyone wanting free doctor choice
Strengths
- ✓Largest medical network in Panama (18 own clinics, 850+ doctors)
- ✓Excellent interior country coverage
- ✓Mature digital app (MyASSA)
- ✓Maternity included
Weaknesses
- –Age 55 entry cutoff
- –No international coverage
- –Closed network — referrals required for specialists
Available plans
SURA
Local / RegionalLatin American regional. Strongest for corporate plans.
From
$75/mo
up to age 55 (entry)
Rating
Good
Part of Grupo SURA with presence in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Panama. Real advantage for companies with cross-border teams.
Best for
Mid-to-large company employees with SURA corporate plan, LATAM regional teams
Not recommended if
People 55+; individual buyers (better price at MAPFRE or ASSA)
Strengths
- ✓Very competitive in corporate plans
- ✓Multinational group backing
- ✓Regional coverage for multi-country teams
- ✓Good corporate digital management
Weaknesses
- –Age 55 entry cutoff
- –Less differentiated for individual buyers
- –Smaller local network than ASSA
Available plans
Mercantil International
InternationalUp to age 75. Flexible on pre-existing conditions.
From
$200/mo
up to age 75
Rating
Good
The door still open when others close it: accepts up to age 75 and is flexible with pre-existing conditions. A genuine last-resort option for many in LATAM.
Best for
People aged 65-75 with pre-existing conditions, LATAM residents with complex medical history
Not recommended if
Those seeking low prices; healthy young people (better options available)
Strengths
- ✓Accepts entry up to age 75
- ✓Flexible with pre-existing conditions
- ✓Presence throughout Latin America
- ✓Up to $2M coverage
Weaknesses
- –High price due to elevated risk profile
- –Less known in Panama than other options
- –No Trustpilot — reputation via brokers
Available plans
SafetyWing
InternationalMost popular with nomads. Read the asterisk first.
From
$42/mo
up to 69 (Nomad) / no limit (Remote Health)
Rating
Acceptable with caveats
IMPORTANT: Nomad Insurance ($42) is TRAVEL insurance, not full health coverage. Remote Health ($206) is the real deal — two completely different products.
Best for
Digital nomads, 1-3 month stays, completely healthy under-40s
Not recommended if
Long-term residents with pre-existing conditions; anyone expecting full health coverage from the $42 plan
Strengths
- ✓Lowest entry price on the market ($42)
- ✓100% online signup, no paperwork
- ✓Remote Health: full coverage at competitive price
- ✓No country coverage restrictions
Weaknesses
- –Nomad Insurance doesn't cover chronic or pre-existing conditions
- –Frequent confusion between the two products
- –Does not replace health insurance for residents
Available plans
Allianz Care
InternationalWorld's #1 insurance brand. LATAM products available.
From
$187/mo
no age limit
Rating
Acceptable
World's #1 insurance brand (Interbrand). Note: Trustpilot 2.4/5 — LATAM customer service draws criticism. PassportCard (also Allianz/AWP) has better operational reputation.
Best for
Those who already know the Allianz brand, expats contracting via international broker
Not recommended if
Direct purchase (not always available); those expecting excellent customer service in LATAM
Strengths
- ✓World's most recognized insurance brand
- ✓No entry age limit
- ✓LATAM-specific products
- ✓Solid financial backing
Weaknesses
- –Trustpilot 2.4/5 (negative customer service reviews)
- –Mostly available via brokers, not directly
- –PassportCard (same parent) has better operational reputation
Available plans
MiniMed
Medical Membership$22/mo. No age limit. No pre-existing exclusions. But not insurance.
From
$22/mo
no age limit
Rating
Limited — read carefully
ATTENTION: MiniMed is a medical membership, NOT health insurance. Covers consultations and basic procedures at their own clinics. Does not pay for emergency hospitalization elsewhere.
Best for
As a supplement to another insurer, or for basic access to consultations at their 14 clinics
Not recommended if
As primary health insurance — does NOT cover major hospitalization, surgery, or intensive care
Strengths
- ✓Lowest price on the market ($22/mo)
- ✓No age limit
- ✓No pre-existing condition exclusions
- ✓14 own clinics in Panama
Weaknesses
- –NOT health insurance — clinic membership only
- –No major hospitalization coverage
- –No complex surgeries
- –Trustpilot 3.2/5
Available plans
Who Is Each One For?
8 profiles with direct recommendations
New expat arriving in Panama
PassportCard Remote ($119/mo)
Free doctor choice from day one. No waiting periods.
Digital nomad (1-3 months)
SafetyWing Nomad ($42/mo)
Only for short stays with perfect health. Not a substitute for full health coverage.
Panamanian family, moderate budget
MAPFRE or ASSA
Full family coverage. MAPFRE wins on price/coverage in Panama City; ASSA if you live in the interior.
Ages 55-64
PassportCard (up to 64), MAPFRE (up to 65) or PALIG (up to 65)
ASSA and SURA shut the door at 55. MAPFRE accepts up to 65 — the local exception. PassportCard and PALIG also stay open.
Ages 65-75 or with pre-existing conditions
Mercantil International or Cigna
Mercantil accepts up to 75 and is flexible with pre-existing conditions. Cigna has no age limit.
Multinational executive / frequent traveler
Cigna or Bupa Global
One insurance working identically in 190 countries. The difference between them is price vs. brand recognition.
Company with team in Panama and LATAM
SURA (corporate plans)
Regional coverage and volume pricing. Significant difference vs. individual contracts.
Very tight budget, young and healthy
MiniMed ($22) + SafetyWing Nomad ($42)
As an emergency cushion only, not a full insurance substitute. Be clear on the limitations.
The Age-55 Barrier
Local insurers ASSA and SURA shut the door at age 55. No exceptions for clean medical history. MAPFRE accepts up to 65 — an important exception among locals. What stays open: PassportCard up to 64, PALIG up to 65, Mercantil up to 75, Cigna and Bupa with no age limit. After 55, the doors are few — and they close with every passing year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest health insurance in Panama?
MiniMed from $22/mo — but it's a clinic membership, not insurance. The cheapest with real coverage: MAPFRE from ~$60/mo or ASSA from ~$71/mo. SafetyWing Nomad ($42) only works for short stays.
Can I get coverage as a foreigner without residency?
PassportCard, SafetyWing, Cigna and Bupa accept foreigners without residency. MAPFRE, ASSA and SURA generally require Panamanian residency. PALIG also accepts residents.
Which covers any Panama City hospital without referrals?
PassportCard and Cigna are the only ones with no closed network: Hospital Nacional, Clínica San Fernando, Pacífica Salud — no permission needed. Local insurers have preferred providers and charge more outside their network.
What's the real difference between Cigna and Bupa?
Price and ecosystem. Cigna is cheaper (from $150 vs. $187-300) and has better LATAM distribution. Bupa has Trustpilot 4.4 vs. 4.1 for Cigna and is better known in Europe. For Panama-based residents, Cigna usually wins on price-to-value.
PALIG vs. PassportCard for a 60-year-old?
Both accept entry at 60. PALIG has local license (important for some residents and tax deductions). PassportCard has direct payment via card without advancing costs. If local licensing doesn't matter, PassportCard is usually more practical day-to-day.
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Our interactive comparison tool calculates real prices by age, coverage and plan.
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