For more than four years, I have been working on a solution so you do not have to prepay at a private hospital if you have a medical emergency and have Medicare Advantage.
Many had to pay $10,000, $20,000, or more at private hospitals when they had a medical emergency. I paid $15,000 when I was in the hospital for 9 days with Covid.
I had to find a solution!
Most hospitals in Panama only do billing for Panama insurance. If you have other insurance, you must prepay and then file a claim.
I have traveled all over the world to meet with medical billing companies to try to convince them to come to Panama to offer direct billing for US insurance.
Finally, direct billing is available at Hospital Chiriqui in David for these insurances:
1.United Health Care
2.BCBS (Commercial and Fed)
3.KAISER PERMANENTE
4.CIGNA
5.Tricare and ChampVA
6. Aetna
7. GeHa
Some of these insurances, like TriCare, ChampVA, BCBS, GeHA, cover more than emergency medical care.
If you have the right Medicare Advantage plan, it covers urgent care and emergencies overseas.
Regular Medicare Part A & B do not cover you in Panama. You will need to convert to a Medicare Advantage plan to be covered for urgent care or emergencies in Panama.
SEE THIS ARTICLE about the many benefits of having Medicare Advantage when you live in Panama.
https://panamarelocationtours.com/why-you-should-keep-medicare-when-you-move-to-panama
Medicare Advantage is only available for US citizens. It's important to consult with a very experienced Medicare Advantage agent who is knowledgeable about coverage overseas. If you get the wrong Medicare Advantage plan, you may not be covered in Panama.
There is no charge to use the medical billing company service. The hospital pays the medical billing company.
I get no commission or kickbacks if you use this service.
You can pre-register at Hospital Chiriqui at the first floor international billing office. See Deyka. There is no charge to pre-register. You will need to take your insurance card, passport, driver's license, and your social security card or at least know our number to pre-register.
By pre-registering, the hospital will already have a verification of your benefits. Once your benefits are verified, you can get a print out of your benefits to know if you have to pay a deductible and what your limits of coverage are.
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:
If you have Medicare Advantage, once your benefits are verified, the hospital will let the billing company know what the cost will be for your medical treatment or surgery. The billing company issues a "Guarantee of Payment" to the hospital so you do not have to prepay. The hospital will send all bills to the medical billing company, which will translate the bills into English and code them so the claim can be submitted to the insurance company. The insurance company pays the hospital directly.
In October, Direct Billing will be available at these other hospitals
The Panama Clinic in Panama City
Hospital Santa Fe in Panama City
Hospital San Fernando in Panama City
Hospital San Fernando Clinic in Coronado
Clínica Especializada de Azuero in Chitre (part of Hospital San Fernando)
In October, you will be able to pre-register at these hospitals.
If you have other questions or need other recommendations for experienced Medicare Advantage agents, contact Jackie@PanamaRelocationTours.com
