Panama offers free medical insurance for tourists
(ftnnews.com) In 2011, Panama begins a new program; reinforcing tourists are a top priority for the country. All tourists as well as Panamanians living abroad will receive medical insurance with top level coverage in case of emergency during the first thirty days of their stay.
This initiative, which is only offered by very few countries in the region, become official on January 17th for all visitors arriving in Panama through Tocumen International Airport.
The process for this health insurance is very simple. Once the person arrives at the airport in Panama City, they must go to the tourist information centers located in the area of immigration and they will be handed a brochure with all the necessary information, along with a user card. If the person requires medical attention, they will only need to present this card along with its passport at any health center.
The insurance policy will cover accidental death (up to $20,000 dollars), hospitalization and medical expenses for injuries due to accidents or in case of contracting a disease in Panama (up to $7,000 dollars), expenses for dental emergency (up to $ 2,000 dollars), administrative legal assistance by accident (up to $ 3,500), and lost or stolen documents, among others. The policy does not however cover incidents caused by negligence, those related to alcohol and drugs ", such as those caused by extreme sports.
"Health insurance is an incentive for tourists visiting Panama as well as all other attractions of the country as a tourist destination. Those who take advantage of the health services in the country will see that Panama is an ideal place for medical tourism with highly trained physicians and hospitals , said Minister of Tourism of Panama and Director of the ATP, Solomon Shamah.
The insurance company, Assicurazioni Generali, will be responsible for issuing the insurance policy, and their contract is valid with the country for the next two years.
About Panama
Panama is an authentic unexplored destination with an exuberant natural habitat and an enchanting history; a gem hidden between two seas. Panama’s prime location, in the center of the continent, allows it to be the main air hub in Latin America. The country offers stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems in forests, beaches, mountains and the Canal Zone, as well as an exquisite combination of rich ethnic and colonial past favorable to the prosperity and benefits of modernity. The Panama Canal, or eighth wonder of the world, is a symbol of an entrepreneur country that besides being a logistics center for excellence, it is the most important financial center of the Americas and home to major multinational corporations and free trade zone. UNESCO has declared the Old Quarter of the capital, Panama City, a World Heritage Site. Panama has natural attractions, services, hotels and a massive Convention Center to receive the adventure and leisure traveler, as well as the business visitors.www.visitpanama.com
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Original Source: ftnnews.com
Date Retrieved: February 2, 2011
