We are new to this forum and will be visiting Boquete starting March 30th. We are planning to check things out for a possible move there next year. My main concern is the ability to find a good Endocrinologist and see what my insulin costs will be there. If anyone is dealing with type 1 diabetes and has any knowledge on this topic please reply or send me a friend request. Thanks!
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Mailboxes, Etc. is a mail forwarder with an office on the Main Street downtown. You can visit their office when you’re here. However, diabetes medication is available in Panama without the wait and without the worry the Panama customs will change the rules on what can be imported.
How about Medtronic pump supplies if you live there and have a pensioner's Visa. I know what the costs are here with and without insurance but curious of there is a supplier there.
You can order your test strips on line and save a lot. I bought a test kit here and it gave false readings 90% of the time usually high. So I regressed to my old One Touch and order from Amazon everything I need in large quantities.
I also purchased a second test kit from Amazon that was abou $ 56. 00 and the test strips are half the cost of the one touch. I cross check each kit about once a month. Finding the things you want here is impossible. One day you can find it and for the next year it is not available. So, I depend a great deal on Amazon and E-Bay for all my needs. You can buy most of your foods and essentials once you get used to which of the five different stores has what you want. But, Be careful some of the things you buy will be cheap Chinese knock offs and they look just like the original.
Dr Espino has given me a prescription for Lantus and Humolog that can be used in the Social Security dispensary where the cost for Humolog is $ 5.00 and Lantus is $ 6.00. The only problem there is that you wait forever to get to the head of the line and some times they do not have everything.
While in Boquete , visit a couple of the pharmacies and check on your meds , if they have them and costs....that's what I did on my meds (not diabetic)...and found the meds I take available w/o prescription and at just about the same cost as with my insurance discount in US
If you are on SS, have you considered Arriva for your diabetic supplies, ie, strips, meter, etc?
I am not on SS (I'm 59) and am not familiar with Arriva. I currently use One Touch & Freestyle strips but I am not particular. Just trying to get an idea of what my diabetes supplies will cost me over there.
If you have medical insurance in the states, have your meds sent here through mailboxes etc. when you get here. Make sure you have a month's supply before you come. I have my insulin supplies and meds mailed to me. I use Walgreen's and they send a 90 day supply.
What do you mean through mailboxes etc. Does it go thru customs and does Walgreen's
send international.
Thanks, You must have someone who sends it to mailboxes. Isn't it less
expensive to just get Dr. in Boquete and get the prescriptins over there.
Looking for a long term solution here and doesen't insulin have to be kept
refrigerated . The information I have gotten so far is it takes a week or more
to get it. This if for my Daughter in Law who will be moving there soon.
Also, how do you go about setting up mailboxes?
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