Thread: PANAMA Medical Services & My Experience

Hi everyone!!

I just went through surgery here in PANAMA versus going back to the States. I have nothing but glowing reports of my doctors, hospital caregivers, and costs associated with my diagnosis and surgery.

I underwent surgery at Gorgus Hospital (Institute Onocoligcal Nacional) on May 5. I was admitted on May 3 with 3 large tumors (10, 5, & 4cm). They put me in 2 days before my scheduled surgery to get me ready with antibiotics and a liquid diet. I was released on May 13. I lost 25 lbs from the 3 tumors and an additional 25 lbs of excess weight. They removed my tumors, 10 inches of my intestines, part of my bladder and colon. They removed 1/2 of my staples when I left (30) and I went back the following week to have the other 30 staples removed.

I had top rate care before, during and after my hospital stay. They sent me home with 1 week of medications NO CHARGE!

I kept bugging the doctors (not 1 but 4 cancer specialists) on what this was going to cost since I don't have insurance. They kept telling me not to worry. Finally, they told me it would run about $0.50/week for the next 10 years on a payment plan. My husband and I thought they were joking. While I was in the hospital before the surgery I kept bugging them and they finally gave me the bill--$400.00 That included EVERYTHING (surgery, medications, semi-private room, blood testing for the blood people donated for my surgery, etc.)

My diagnosis was done originally at San Fernando Clinic in Coronado. I had 2 CAT scans with dye for $700, colonoscopy for $75, EKG for $10, chest x-ray for $27, and a lot of blood work for around a total of $100. I also had a couple of ultrasounds done in the city and in Coronado.

I will return the end of next month for a check-up. There was no chemo required because the tumors were self-contained and the samples of tissues around the tumors and lymph nodes did not have cancer.

I had ovarian cancer 11 years ago and the bill was over $500K in the Chicago area. The doctors told me if they would have cut me open and removed the tumor whole 11 years ago this type of tumor would not have resurfaced.

We asked the doctors could I have had this done at John Hopkins or Sante Fe or San Fernando vrs. Gorgus. They all told me I would have been transfered there because it is a cancer hospital.

I have a bunch of friends that have had treatments down here for a fraction of the costs compared to the states. Even Matt, my husband, has had a cataract removed for $1800 down here at San Fernando Hospital.

I can't say enough about the medical services in PANAMA compared to the U.S. Everyone says that most of the doctors are medically trained in the U.S.

Mary
www.whypanama.com

I wish you good health Mary.

I also wish and pray the very best for you Mary.
My wife doesn' have medical insurance in the States either . So ,thats our main reason of looking to Panama .
We are truely so happy for you .
Mike&Debbie

I split my head open walking down Via Espania once and not paying attention. I got 5 stitches at Santo Tomas hospital for $2. In and out in one hour.

That's an incredible story, and I am glad you are back to health. I have only sampled private health care once and it was $80 or so for a check up in the USA. It is nice to hear that Panama seems very progressive and modern in its medical treatment.

Hope you make a full recovery Mary...

I was just thinking if medial expenses are so cheap, it would not even have to bother with medical insurance, coz everything costs so cheap, would I be correct in assuming this?

anyone on this board Who does not have health insurance in Panama?

Hi!

I lucked out with my surgery and my history of cancer 11 years ago is why I went to this particular hospital--you need a reference letter from a private practice doctor.

I know people that have come down here without insurance because chemo is cheaper than the U.S. Now if I were to have a heart attack, gall bladder surgery, stroke, broken hip, etc. that would be a different story.

There are still a lot of people that have health insurance down here because of different things that can go wrong and they have been covered. I still shelled out about $1200 for presurgery tests, doctors, etc.

Each hospital (Santa Fe, San Fernando, Punta Pacifica, etc.) have separate policies available at a reasonable cost per month for catrastrophic illnesses.

My husband has had a cataract removed down here at San Fernando Hospital for $1800.

One of my doctors told me that in private practice for surgery his fees alone are $2500. That can add up because most doctors down here don't do a surgery by themselves, they usually have a 2nd doctor standing by incase of something going wrong. When I was first diagnosed I thought I was going to have the surgery done at San Fernando hospital and they quoted me $110/night semi-private room. There are several social security hospitals in Panama City--which are for the poor people that don't have any type of insurance.

Matt was in the hospital in Penonomee last year for broken ribs and spent 3 days there. He had 6 x-rays, medications, blood work, IV, etc. He even had 3 doctors a day check on him because of his high blood pressure and diabetes at the time. His bill for the 3 days was $65. He was in a ward with 5 other Panamanians, I couldn't get him a private room for $15/day because it was the week after carnival and the hospital was full!!

Mary

wow thats an amazing story, best of health to you..

by the way, does anybody know of a private womans clinic in panama city? i'm looking for a permanent OBYGN here in the city.. thanks.

Hi!

I have a great OB/GYN that is at San Fernando Hospital and her name is Dr. Gladys Olmos. She also comes out to the San Fernando Clinic in Coronado a couple of times a month.

Mary