Panama is slowly becoming one of the top medical tourism destinations in the world, attracting Americans and Canadians who are combining travel with medical needs. The main reasons for this are Panama’s close proximity with many direct flights, its excellent healthcare services, US trained and certified medical staff, and its natural beauty combined with a wide range of attractions. 

Panama City is considered Central America’s safest and most modern city. The US dollar is the standard currency, so price comparison is easily done. Panama's long association with the United States, over more than a hundred years, has left a strong American influence in providing healthcare to American and Canadian patients using US standards of quality and service. This can be seen in the similarities in facilities, medical procedures and practices, as well as the abundance of English speaking US trained and board certified doctors and medical staff.  

In addition, most of the top hospitals have affiliations and are recognized by prominent international medical organizations such as the Johns Hopkins International, Baptist Health International of Miami, Cleveland Clinic, Tulane Health Science Center, Miami Children's Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Harvard Medical Faculty, the Kendall Medical Center, and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center among others. This enables them to maintain a high quality in their facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, procedures, methodology, and technology.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Panama offer a wide variety of procedures and services for medical tourists such as cosmetic/plastic surgery, dental services, orthopedic surgery, fertility treatments, bariatric/obesity surgeries,  cancer treatment and oncology, eye/ophthalmology, and stem cell therapy.

 Depending on the type of procedure, the cost savings in Panama compared to the US can range from 20-80%. A few examples of savings: pace maker 50-60%, hip replacement 35-40%, face lift 75-80%, cataract surgery 50-60%, dental implant 55-60%. A more specific example would be the procedure for a herniated disc which would cost $19,000 - $21,000 in the States, would cost $6,000 -$7,000 in Panama. 

 USA and Canadian medical travelers with a valid passport that extends at least six months beyond the traveler's intended last day of stay, do not need to get a visa to enter Panama. A tourist card can be purchased upon arrival, allowing the recipient to stay for 90 days in the country. Other requirements include: return tickets, sufficient funds to cover the visit, and confirmed accommodations.

Doctors have estimated that there are only hundreds of medical tourists from the United States visiting Panama each year. These figures will continue to grow, as Americans without health insurance continue to seek healthcare in nearby medical tourism destinations such as Panama. More and more baby boomers are contemplating retiring to this Latin American destination, as well as seeking healthcare services and beauty treatments at much lower costs.

For more detailed information consult the government website at:

 http://www.health-tourism.com/medical-tourism-panama/