Panama offers great health care with First World Hospitals and Doctors.

Health care providers you know and trust have branches in Panama, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, IHI BUPA, and World Wide Medical.

Health Insurance premiums can be significantly lower since Panama is not a litigious country.

It is extremely important to get health insurance in Panama since hospitals will require by law proof of insurance (your card) or a credit card before allowing you to be admitted into the hospital, even for persons in critical conditions.

Your health insurance policy can cover you for hospitalization and/or medical expenses. You can also obtain Local or International Coverage.

HOSPITALIZATION

компютри втора употребаMaternity

Room and food

Intensive care

Special hospital services

Emergencies

MEDICAL EXPENSES

Doctor’s fees

Ambulatory consultation

Medicine

Lab exams and X-rays

LOCAL COVERAGE

Includes Hospitalization and Medical Expenses.

With Co-Payment: the insured person pays a fixed amount for each consultation and the rest the insurance company pays directly to the doctor.

Medical Network: list of doctors in most hospitals in the country.

Doctors/Hospitals outside the network are covered up to a percentage negotiated with the network.

Coverage without maximum age.

Premium depends on age range.

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE

You can choose between Hospitalization and/or Medical Expenses.

Coverage in Panama and in every country in the World.

Coverage without maximum age.

Premium depends on age range.

Higher insured sum (1- 2 million lifetime benefit)

Deductibles are done by policy or calendar year, they are not by event.

MEDICAL AND/OR LAB REQUIREMENTS

Depends on the company - some have no requirements, but the standard is:

For Panamanians ~ over 40 years of age

For foreigners ~ of all ages

For children ~ pediatric report required

To get more information on a Health Insurance Policy that suits your needs or to get a quote, contact our customer service department at forlacol@gmail.com or by phone (507) 6676-5151.

]]> http://healthinsuranceinpanama.com/guideline-to-health-insurance-in-panama/feed http://healthinsuranceinpanama.com/about-forlacol http://healthinsuranceinpanama.com/about-forlacol#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 04:22:08 +0000 admin http://healthinsuranceinpanama.com/about-contact-us

Forlacol was founded in 1976 making it one of Panama’s oldest Insurance Broker Firms. The company was founded by Jaime Ford Boyd, former ambassador to the US and Spain, Zona Libre Entrepreneur, and current director of ASSA Insurance company.

The firm is currently managed by Ursula Kiener Ford who is the third generation in the company.

WE REPRESENT

WE ALSO OFFER

Car Insurance

Life Insurance

Title Insurance

Yatch Insurance and all Other Types of Insurance for Individuals and Corporations

Mortgage Brokering

Escrow and Legal Services

Contact forlacol@gmail.com or Ursula (507) 6676-5151 for more information on Mortgages and Title – Fire – Content – Life Insurance.

Disclaimer: www.healthinsuranceinpanama.com and every other website of Forlacol Insurance Brokers are written by Ursula Kiener Ford and the contents of these pages are protected by copyright laws. If you wish to link to our page or to use one of our articles – please contact us prior to doing so.

Stress Reduction, Holistic Wellness Center, Medical Beauty, Physical and Nutritional Consultation, Biomechanical Alignment, ChiroGenics, Pain Elimination, Yoga, Meditation, Qi Qong.

Phone +507 390-9919

+507 6677-6616

Email - info@AVSpaPanama.com

Website - http://www.altavitaspa.com/

CURVES GYMS IN PANAMA CITY

Women’s Gym and Weight Management Plans

Altos de Panama, Ciudad de Panama
Entrada principal Condado del Rey, Plaza Cecilia 1er Piso Local 16
Ciudad de Panama, 67471389
Bella Vista, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Calle 46, Edificio Capto planta baja, Bella Vista
Ciudad de Panama, PA 507 2270542

Costa del Este, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Plaza Cristal, Via Centenario, Correqimiento de Juan Diaz, Urbanizacion Costa del Este, Panamá 507-271-0908

El Dorado, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Centro Comercial Camino de Cruces Planta Baja, local #6 El Dorado, Ciudad de Panama El Dorado, 507 360 2240

Albrook, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Centro Comercial “Pan Canal Plaza” Local 003, Frente A El Supermercado “El Rey” Albrook, Ciudad de Panama
Panama, 507-315-0600

Brisas del Golf, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
San Miguelito, Corregimiento Rufina Alfaro, Via Domingo Dias, Urbanizacion Brisas del Golf E.H. Centro Comercial las Arcadas, Local #26, Ciudad de Panama, 507-266-1040

Paitilla, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Avenida 81a Suv y Calle 56 Este Patilla
Panama, 507-215-3351

San Francisco, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Calle 64, San Francisco y Via Porras, Local No. 61 Panama Ciudad de Panama, 507-6676-6220

Villa Lucre, Ciudad de Panama, Panama
Centro Comercial Villa Lucre, Local 22, a un costado del supermercados “El Rey” Ciudad de Panama, 507 277 3050

POWER CLUB GYM

Weights, Spinning Classes, Massages, Sauna, Personal Trainers, Cardio Area with TVs, Aerobics Classes, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Belly Dance, ABS, Pilates, Dance Lessons

Costa del Este - Plaza Costa del Este - Calle Principal - First Floor - Suite 16

Punta Pacifica - Plaza Pacifica (above Super 99)

El Cangrejo - Calle Guatemala with Via Argentina, next to Restaurant Ël Patio Mexicano”

12 de Octubre - Ave. 12 de Octubre, Metro Plaza Commercial Center (above El Rey Supermarket)

El Dorado - Bethania - Via Ricardo J. Alfaro, entrance of 2 Mares, next to Skoda Autos

Phone # - 392-8100

Website - http://www.powerclubgym.com/

Open: Monday - Friday: 5 AM - 10 PM

Saturdays: 6 AM - 3PM

Sundays 8AM -4PM (ONLY IN CANGREJO LOCATION)

SPORT TEK GYM PANAMA

Personal attention and state of the art equipment

Avenida Ramon Arias - El Carmen, Panama City

Phone # - 269-5010

Website - http://sport-tek.com/sport_tek_about_us.htm

MIRAMAR HEALTH CLUB AND SPA

Phone - 214-1000 Ext. 6120

Website - http://www.miramarpanama.com/

Email - spa@miramarpanama.com

Beauty salon, nutritionist, Personalized training workout.

BIO FIT CENTER

Creating health and longevity with personalized fitness and nutrition plans that fit your lifesyle, also Fitness 4 Teens.
Phone # (507) 340-6288 / 6299
340-6236 / 6237
Fax # (507) 340-6234 / 6235

Biofit Center is located in
Panama City, Panama
Marbella, Ocean Plaza Building - 9th Floor

Email - biofit@biofitprogram.com

Website - http://www.biofitprogram.com/

PILATES WAY

Personal or group classes, Therapy, and Physical Evaluations

Previous appointment required

Location - Punta Pacifica - Paitilla Mall, Suite 21

Phone - 215-1112

Email - pilateswaystudio@yahoo.com

~ WWM is an insurance and reinsurance company with headquarters in Panama City, Panama.

~The company offers local and international hospitalization insurance for residents of Latin America and life insurance with competitive individual rates.

~ WWM has a network of over 4,000 affiliated hospitals worldwide, 6 select hospitals, and/or coverage in all the hospitals in the world depending on the plan you choose.

“Our high number of international sales and fast expansion in Central America allows us to disperse our risk better allowing us to give you a better rate and insure individuals with pre-existing conditions, which no other insurance company in Panama does.”

FORLACOL Insurance Brokers represents WWM in Panama.

Our Reinsurance Partners

Transatlantic Reinsurance Company- Subsidiary of AIG, Rated A+ by A.M. Best and AA by Standard & Poor’s

Paris Re Rated A by A.M. Best and AA- by Standard & Poor’s

Munchener Re was founded in 1880, Rated A+ by A.M. Best and A+ by Standard & Poor´s.

Swiss Re was founded in 1863, Rated A+ by A.M. Best and AA by Standard & Poor´s

Quality Health Management

Our claims and service administrator in the United States: Quality Health Management, L.C.C. offers you technological solutions combined with a high quality services which provides our clients with a broad variety of services through cybernetic communication.

~ With more than 13 years of experience in health care services, QMS guarantees its patients the support of renowned professionals.

www.qhmanagement.com

Health Pharmacy Medications

Medicine discounts through the Health Pharmacy network of affiliated pharmacies, such as:

CVS Pharmacy

Winn Dixie Stores

Walgreens

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Publix Supermarkets

Target

Costco

Free Travelers Assistance/Insurance for the Whole Family of WWM Insurance Clients

Also:

Transportation of travel companion due to hospitalization

Return flight because of illness or accident

Coordination of money wiring and change of flights

Assistance in locating your luggage

Delivery of urgent messages

The applicants’ retirement income (or private pension income) must be at least a LIFE TIME US$500 per month. For each dependent, the retirement income (or private pension income) amount must be increased by US$100.

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

THE LAW - No. 6 - JUNE 16, 1987

Discounts on prescription drugs and health care services:

20% on general, specialist and surgical doctor fees

15% on hospital and private clinic bills

15% for dental services

15% for optometry services

10% on prescription drugs (some pharmacies give up to 20%)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Airfares 25%

Restaurants 25%

Fast food chains 15%

Movies, theatres and others 50%

Public transportation (air, ground, and sea) 30%

Lodging 30% to 50% (on weekdays)

Technical and professional services 20%

Utility bills 25% (certain restrictions apply)

MORTGAGE BENEFITS

Closing costs for personal loans 50%

Interest rate for personal loans 15%

Mortgage interest rate 1%

For more information please visit our Mortgage and Insurance Website.

TAX EXEMPTIONS

A one-time exemption of duties on the importation of household goods up to US$10,000 in total value

100% duty exemption on the importation or purchase of an automobile.

For more information please visit our Car Insurance Website.

We give legal service referrals by request.

When I moved back to Panama (from Tallahassee) Link (my long haired Chihuahua) lost hair because of stress and I went to 3 vets before I got to Dr. Antonio and they all charged me and did not do anything. Dr. Antonio cured my baby in 1 month. After since I have had to call him at random hours because of emergencies and he is always available.

He is also willing to go outside of Panama city for travels since it is hard to find vets outside the city.

I wanted to help him out by spreading the word. His English is not perfect - but you can communicate with him - or if anything let me know.

His contact info:

Antonio Delgado

6612-3266

6671-3272

aedf13@hotmail.com

I am picky about recommending people and he is a great person who has helped me in stressful situations.

The Ministry of Health states that in Panama 2 thousand 500 people die each year caused by diseases related to the cigarette.

After a day of which it entered to govern Law 13 of the 24 of January of 2008, that adopts measurements to control of the tobacco and its harmful effects on a person’s health, the Ministry of Health (MINSA), through its free lines: 512-9444 and 800-5500, received near 50 calls between the 6:00 a.m. and the 1:00 p.m., of yesterday Friday.

The majority of them, according to Mayanín Rodriguez, director of Promotion of Health of MINSA, came from citizens interested in knowing in what sites you could smoke and in which not. Others, said, were people who wanted to denounce those who saw smoking in public sites.

(GURU Clubb, Calle Uruguay - Panama City)

WHERE CAN I SMOKE AND WHERE NOT?

The law lets few spaces one to be able to ignite a cigarette or tobacco. “People will only be able to do it in the open sites where there is no other person”, it assures Rodriguez.

Not even it will you be able to smoke neither in the parks nor in the corridors of your building.

The public and private offices, the transportation in general, the terrestrial, marine terminals and areas, public places where there are people, sport areas, common areas of the buildings public and private, the closed work atmospheres, and public and private education and health facilities, are in the list of prohibited places to smoke.

“You can smoke in your house, as long as you do not have a maid”, it said Carlos Vergara, one of the four people who answers the hot lines of the MINSA, which work 24 hours.

(Royal Casino - Marriott Hotel, Panama City)

FINES

The sanctions will prevail considering the risk generated for the health, the economic capacity of that commits the misconduct and the social repercussion of the infraction, among others aspects. The sanctions also imply the closing of establishments.

The fines range between 10 dollars and 100 thousand dollars.

If you see a person smoking in the street, you can denounce it with a call to the hot lines, or warn the competent authorities, a policeman, for example. The policeman must take the smoker to the corregiduría (community authority), where they will write a report which is sent to MINSA, because this is the authority which has to charge the fine.

As of today, an equipment of 25 inspectors, of the 100 MINSA has, will make a nocturnal route to verify how informed are the owners of bars, casinos and restaurants on the law. “The idea is to see how norm has been welcomed”, assured Rodriguez.

Antonio Alfaro, of the National Association of Games of Luck, says that they are waiting for the regulation of the law to determine his effects.

(Veneto Hotel and Casino - Via Veneto, Panama City)

It is a Medical plan that includes medical services and hospitalization expenses designed for people over 60. This plan provides broad protection against all those unforeseen health expenses to an amazingly low cost.

HOW DOES THIS PLAN WORK?

When you subscribe in the Plan you become a MEMBER and you are shortly eligible to receive medical and hospital services with a few minor limitations. There are no deductibles to fill, coupons to complete, or applications for procedures. When you ask for the services you only have to show your ID card.

WHO OFFERS THE SERVICES OF THE PLAN?

Medicals services are offered by more than 100 doctor specialists in Hospital Santa Fe, Clínicas San Fernando, Consultorios Médicos Paitilla, Consultorios Médicos San Judas Tadeo and others. The Plan also puts at your services the disposition of the Hospital Santa Fe.

In cases of extreme emergency the member can receive medical attention in any other hospital in Panama or in the interior of the country.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PLAN?

The applicant must be over 60 years of age and must complete the application form and a health declaration.

Monthly payments can be done in the Santa Fe Hospital window, in any Banistmo branch, by credit card or bank withdrawal and you will receive a 10% discount for paying on time for a limited period.

Not paying on time might cause the cancelation of insurance coverage.

WHAT SERVICES DOES THIS PLAN OFFER?

This plan offers the broadest medical and hospital services in and out of the hospital, including medical consultations, surgeries, emergencies, lab exams, x rays, and physiotherapy.

WHICH ILLNESSES DOES THIS PLAN COVER?

This plan offers medical/hospital services for most conditions and illnesses that present after the person affiliates.

WHICH ARE THE NECESARY PAYMENTS TO RECEIVE THE MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL SERVICES?

~ For medical consultations with a general doctor ~ $5.00

~ With a specialist ~ $15.00

~ Psychiatrist ~ $20.00.

You have to pay only 20% of the expenses for lab exams and x rays as a ambulatory patient. However the exams must be requested by an affiliated doctor who has seen the affiliated person in a medical appointment.

SERVICES CO-PAYMENT

Hospitalization 350.00

Ambulatory Surgery 100.00

Emergency due to illness 50.00

Emergency due to accident No Charge

Medications will be available in the Santa Fe pharmacy with a 17.5% discount.

Special procedures, hospitalizations, and ambulatory surgeries require pre-authorization from the Plan’s Medical Board.

WHAT LIMITATIONS DOES THIS PLAN HAVE?

You have to wait 2 years to receive surgery services for some medical conditions such as hernia and cataracts. Pre-existing conditions will not be covered.

HOW DOES ONE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PLAN?

We at FORLACOL will assist you in subscribing to this plan.

You must have a complete physical exam which we will coordinate, then fill out the application, and a health declaration.

When the application is accepted, you must sign the service contract for medical and hospital services and pay for the first month.

Medical and hospital services will begin the first day of the next month.

By Ursula Kiener Ford

One of the biggest concerns for foreigners relocating to Panama is health care. Every day I get at least a couple of emails with questions about health insurance from people living in Panama or planning on moving to Panama. These are the answers to some of the questions people put to me.

Being a retiree does not give you discounts on insurance premiums. It does however give you discounts on medical consultations (15%) which cost between $30-55 and on medicines (10-17% depending on the pharmacy).

Foreigners have to pay in public hospitals since they can’t apply for social security unless they have worked in Panama for a significant period since quotas have to be fulfilled in order to be eligible.

To be admitted to a hospital in Panama you need to present proof of insurance or a credit card. If you don’t, hospitals are not required by law to give you medical care and they will send you to one of the public hospitals (which have difficulty in handling the amount of patients they receive) even if it is an emergency and your life is in danger. This makes health insurance a necessity.

Every company has a maximum age of admittance to a policy plan –usually around 62-64 years. After this you can still get insured but you have fewer options. The maximum age a company offers for admittance is 74.

Most companies require examinations for admittance which depend on your age.

To give you a quote a broker needs to know the age of the person to be insured and the age of any dependants, whether you are looking for local or local/international coverage and if you have any existing health problems.

For more information on health insurance in Panama please visit:
www.healthinsuranceinpanama.com

Get in touch with Get Fresh today to get a head start on a healthier lifestyle, and learn how fun and delicious good food can be!

Website ~ www.GetFreshPanama.com

Email ~ Info@getfreshpanama.com

Smiles,

Beth Ihle