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Costa Rican
Life expectancy is 76 years for men and 79.8 years for
women, both longer than in the United States. The infant mortality rate in Costa Rica is less than that in the United States. The United Nations consistently ranks Costa Rica’s public health system in the top 20 worldwide and the best in Latin America.
With a government-sponsored network of 29 hospitals and more than 250 clinics throughout the country, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) has primary responsibility for providing low cost health services to the Costa Rican populace. Open not just to Costa Ricans, the CCSS provides affordable medical service to any foreign resident or visitor. Foreigners living in Costa Rica can join the CCSS by paying a small monthly fee--based on their income-- or they can buy a very inexpensive but through health insurance from the State monopoly Instituto de Seguro Nacional (INS) valid with over 200 affiliated doctors, hospitals, labs and pharmacies in the private sector.
Hospitals have the latest equipment, and laboratories are excellent. You can feel safe having most operations without returning to the U.S. or Canada. Most surgical procedures cost only a fraction of what they do in the U.S. For example, a heart bypass operations cost about a third of what they do in the U.S.
Private clinics and hospitals provide quicker services with more privacy, enabling you to avoid long lines and the bureaucracy of the public system. In Costa Rica the term Clinica is used for private institutions that generally include inpatient medical/surgical facilities, doctor’s offices, laboratories, and radiology, pharmacy, and outpatient services. Hospital generally refers to a public inpatient medical and surgical facilities that also provide laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and related services.
San
Jose's three largest private
Hospitals
Hospital CIMA, in Escazu right off the highway, is the newest private hospital in the San José area and is affiliated with the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and managed by International Hospital Corporation of Dallas, Texas. It is a full service hospital that boasts the latest health care technology, state-of the-art medical equipment and the most sophisticated physical plant in Central America. It offers complete services including X-ray, ultrasound, emergency and intensive care, as well as an advanced coronary unit. They have an adjacent seven-story medical office building where over 100 specialists have their offices
Clinica Bíblica , in downtown San José, is now affiliated with the Blue Cross-Blue Shield network. By 2005 they expect to be affiliated with Medicare.
Clínica Católica, in Guadalupe, a suburb of San José, is another fine private hospital with complete hospital and emergency services 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
C.A.R.E. at Los Sueños Resort in Jaco Beach is a private emergency medical center located in the Jaco Beach area. They offer Medical consultation, an advanced life support ambulance, minor surgery and special events coverage. The clinic’s regular hours are from 8am to 6pm.
Most Costa Rican doctors are excellent and have been trained in Europe, Canada or the United States. If you don’t speak Spanish, you don’t have to worry. Many local doctors speak English, many receptionists and nurses do as well. Doctor’s fees for office visits vary. A good private specialist usually charges between $30 and $40 for each visit, although some doctors charge a little more and others a little less. In keeping with the slower pace of life, doctors in Costa Rica take time with patients to answer questions and listen. Doctors usually give you their office, home and cell phone numbers. Many doctors will still make house calls.
Over the years, Costa Rica has attracted those in search of uplifting cosmetic surgery. Dental work, from fillings to implants, is done routinely on people from every corner of the world. Many of the well off from Latin America plan for their medical needs--from hip replacement to heart valve replacement--to be taken care of by the well-trained and skillful physicians in Costa Rica rather than in their native countries. Clearly then, not only does Costa Rica offer universal health care coverage to its citizens, but that same high quality care is available for people from all over the world. Even if you are in good health, the probability of needing medical care increases with age. The security of knowing that good health services are available represents an enormous relief. Thus health care should not be a major issue in your decision to live in Costa Rica.
Medicines and Pharmacies
(Farmacias)
Pharmacies are numerous in Costa Rica and they stock most standard medicines available in Europe, Canada and the U.S. In general, the cost of most medicines is lower (up to 80%) than those in the U.S. Most drugs are freely available over the counter in any Costa Rican pharmacies without a prescription. Exceptions are strong pain relievers and narcotics that require a special prescription. In Costa Rica, pharmacists are permitted to prescribe medicines as well as administer on-the-spot injections. They are also available to answer your questions and give free medical advice about less complex conditions.
Some pharmacies open 24-hours a day, have bilingual employees to help you and will often deliver to your home.
Low Cost Medical Insurance
Costa Rica’s health care system is available to retirees (pensionados) and other foreign residents. Residents may join the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Costa Rican Social Security System) and enjoy the same inexpensive medical coverage as most Costa Ricans do. Most foreigners do not enroll in this system because of the long waits for medical appointments, some medications and other delays. However, the emergency care they provide is very good. They also have clinics all over the country.
Most foreigners and retirees opt for the medical insurance offered by the government’s insurance company—the National Insurance Institute or INS. Everyone is eligible to apply, including permanent residents, pensionados and even tourists. Elderly people have to submit to a physical before they can be insured. The medical policy covers expenses due to illness, accidents, hospitalization, office visits, lab work, medicines and medical costs in foreign countries. However, if you do incur medical expenses abroad, the INS will only pay the amount of the same treatment in Costa Rica and you have to pay the difference.
When you purchase a policy, the INS will supply you with an identification card and a booklet that lists the names of affiliated groups such as hospitals, doctors, labs and pharmacies. Most surgical procedures are covered 100%. You only pay a small deductible for office visits, labs, medicines and treatments. If you seek medical services not affiliated with the INS, you have to pay up front. You then submit a claim to the INS and will be reimbursed in a few weeks.
Depending on age and sex, the annual cost of this insurance is around $900 for a man between 45 and 50 and about $1700 for 65-69 year old man. Women of childbearing age pay slightly more than men. It is easy to enroll an entire family for a low monthly rate. Various discounts are available on this insurance.
Medical expenses due to accident, sickness and maternity up to $200,000 per year are covered. For persons over 69 the coverage is reduced to $60,000. Since medical costs are so low in Costa Rica, this policy is more than enough to take care of your medical needs. Retirees and other residents need not worry about lacking adequate medical coverage in Costa Rica
The INS and other Insurance Providers offer an international insurance policy that covers your needs in Costa Rica and the rest of the world. The rates are higher but the coverage is still very reasonable.
Comparing Costa Rica’s Health Care
Plans
C.C.S.S. - National socialized system.
Covers doctor’s visits, medications, examinations and hospitalization.
Doctors are assigned to the patient.
Covers pre-existing conditions.
Covers all medications including dental and eyes.
Some reasons to consider this plan.
Have pre-existing health condition and do not qualify for INS insurance.
Take medication on a regular basis.
Have it as major medical in case of serious illness.
Monthly premiums cover all illnesses for the member and his immediate family for that month. The cost, for someone younger than 55 years old is $55 per month; 55 years or older $37 per month.
INS - The governmental insurance company.
Covers 80% of the cost of doctor’s visits, medications, examinations and hospitalization.
Individual chooses the doctor.
Does not cover any pre-existing medical condition.
Does not cover most dental or eye exams, treatments or glasses, preventive medical check-up, illness or disorders related to female reproductive organs during the first 12 months of coverage, or birth of a baby during the first 6 months of coverage.
International Health
Insurance Policy
The INS and other Insurance Providers offer an international insurance policy that covers your needs in Costa Rica and the rest of the world. These new medical policies cover medical expenses due to accident or sickness. Some of the items covered: Hospitalization and ambulatory expense, maternity, prosthesis, organ transplants, air evacuation, repatriation of remains, funeral costs and a yearly check-up and eye test. The rates are higher but the coverage is still very reasonable.
Costs vary according to the carrier.
Dental
Care
Many tourists come to Costa Rica to have their cosmetic dental work done inexpensively. The quality of dental work in Costa Rica is equal to that found in Europe, Canada or the U.S. On the average, dental work costs about 30% less than in the U.S. Most dentists charge around $35 for an initial exam. Check prices with the dentist of your choice since rates vary.
Costa Rican dentists offer the following services: implants, gum treatment, root canals, whitening, oral surgery, crowns, bridges and nitrous oxide sedation.
Care for the Elderly
Full service custodial health care is available in Costa Rica for the elderly at a very low cost. Care for less independent senior citizens is around $1000 per month. Retirement Centers International offers comprehensive medical care and assistance that includes all medicines, lab work, dental care, physical therapy, rehabilitation and special diets.
These programs are some of Central America’s best and are considerably less expensive than in the United States. However, if these facilities are beyond an elderly person’s means, a full-time live-in domestic worker can be hired as a nurse for a couple of hundred dollars monthly. In addition to caring for an elderly person this worker can manage other household chores.
Currently Costa Rica assigns about 10% of its GNP to health care. The result, a physician for every 700 people and a hospital bed for every 275. Some areas the health-care system equal that of the U.S. in terms of the latest medical technology, at least in San José, where transplant surgery is now performed. Many Americans fly in for surgery, including dental work, here. And the Plastic Surgery crowd helps keep Costa Rica's cosmetic surgeons very busy.
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