Hospital Chiriqui discount program

[CC and Ray Leseth]

Is anyone familiar with the monthly cost for hospital Chiriqui's discount program?

Is there a link to the cost breakdown by age?

Is there a limit on age?

I understand about pre-existing conditions.

All thoughts will be appreciated!!

[Rod Taylor]

It is now called PlanMed, run by Pan American Life

This is their site, which has rates: http://www.planmed.com.pa/

You can write or call them in English.

It is not a Castrostopic plan.  If you are looking for that, contact Magda Crespo at https://www.magdacrespo.com/ who can direct you there, or other options, She is located in San Fransico Plaza.

[CC and Ray Leseth]

Many thanks for the PlanMed link Rod, I will look into it.

The cost for some of these plans is prohibitive because of our ages.

 

[BOB G]

Here is an idea.  Get the Hospital Cooperative discount plan for $120 per person per year.   Open a separate bank account and put $1,000 into it.  Then deposit $100 per month.  After one year, you will have $2,200 in the account.  This is approximately equivalent to one year of premiums on a high-quality medical insurance policy.  But the money is still yours and in your account, unlike the premium, which would be gone forever.  Contdinue putting $100 into the account monthly. 

Your routine medical care at Hospital Cooperative will be inexpensive overall because the hospital is the only non-profit hospital in Panama. 

If you make a strong effort to maintain your health with exercise, vitamins and supplements (carefully chosen), that will help you avoid expensive medicale care.  Your personal medical fund will continue to grow, though you may need to use some of it for services not available at Hospital Cooperativo (MRI, for example).

This is worth your time to consider.

 

[Patrick]

http://www.hospitalcooperativo.com/

 

[CC and Ray Leseth]

Thanks Patrick!!

 

[CC and Ray Leseth]

Many thanks for your reply Bob, much appreciated.

Is Hospital Cooperative in David? Do they have a website showing the discount plan, Spanish or English is fine?

I am covered by the VA in the states. We will drop our Medicare Part-B which is currently $144 for each per month or a total of $288/month.

 

 

[Patrick]

http://www.hospitalcooperativo.com/

[Bonnie Williams]

Think carefully before giving up your Medicare. Should you ever return to the States (and almost everyone does at some point) there will be a substantial penalty to reinstate both Part B and Part D (drugs). Also, if you keep Medicare, it gives you the option to return to the States for major surgery of a non-emergency nature that your insurance in Panama doesn't cover. I know several people who have done this for knee and hip surgery, for example, as well as for cataracts. These surgeries are expensive in Panama if you don't have the equally expensive insurance. 

[CC and Ray Leseth]

Thanks Bonnie, good point. I am aware that there is a penalty but not hw much. Probably depends on the years you forfieted.

I have the VA but that would affect my wife.

 

[Bonnie Williams]

Unless it has changed dramatically, this is not a catastrophic plan. The maximum payout is too low.