COSTA RICA HEALTHCARE

Costa Rica Healthcare is the best healthcare system in Latin America. Costa Rica's healthcare system is comprised of two main categories; private healthcare and public heathcare. With any public (socialized) health care system, there is plenty of red tape called tramites in Costa Rica. Also, for the public system, expect longer waits, but the quality of Costa Rica’s health care system as compared to its Latin American counterparts is excellent. Private health care is also available, affordable and high quality. Many doctors speak English and have been educated and trained in first world medical systems like Europe, Canada, Australia or the United States. There are three large, private hospitals that most expats use: CIMA hospital in Escazú, Clinica Biblica in San José, and Clinica Católica in San José-Guadalupe.

 

WHO (World Health Organization) statistics frequently place Costa Rica in the top country rankings in the world for long life expectancy (better than the US and Canada). Costa Rica has a slower pace of life and laid back culture, healthy foods including, fresh fruits and vegetables, many organic and foods without preservatives, fresh fish and free range cattle (beef) and a warm and welcoming tropical climate. Costa Rica is a healthy place to live. Another factor has to be the availability of healthcare and vaccines for all of its citizens. Costa Rica's healthcare system is often ranked one position below Canada for worldwide quality of healthcare.

 

With a publich healthcare system of more than 30 hospitals and more than 250 clinics throughout the country, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) or Caja as it is informally called by most Costa Ricans, provides low-cost health care to the Costa Rican people. Like most free public systems, Costa Rica's public healthcare system can be over burdened at times, but the system has worked well for for over 60. The Caja is available and required for all Costa Rican citizens and legal Costa Rican residents, but also provides very low cost healthcare options to visitors. Foreigners living in Costa Rica can join the CCSS by paying a small monthly fee–based on income–or they can buy 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. There are also international healthcare insurance providers offering policies for expats who want to have the option of being treated in Costa Rica or in their home country (US, Canada, Europe, etc.).

 

Most of Costa Rica's best doctors and dentists work part time in the public system and part time in the private system. When working in the public system, they see numerous patients in a short period of time, but provide their services at very low costs. Private practices offer one on one consultations in a private office at or near one of the public hospitals. Private healthcare is more costly than public healthcare, but the service is exemplary compared to the public system and is offered at a fraction of the cost of comparable healthcare practices and procedures in the United States, Canada and elsewhere. Dental procedures are also offered at a fraction of costs for similar procedures in the US and Canada. A new trend in Costa Rica healthcare is to cater to Americans and Canadians for both dental and medical, called health or medical tourism. Even Rush Limbaugh, a popular US radio personality has featured Costa Rica healthcare in his radio show.

 

Costa Rica has become a popular location for foreigners to come to for many cosmetic surgery procedures. A full range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures are available in several modern clinics. With the addition of contemporary laser technology, the ability of Costa Rica’s plastic and cosmetic surgeons to provide world-class services has been enhanced. Prices are sometimes 50% lower or more than comparable procedures in the United States.

 

One in every six couples the world over suffers from fertility issues and has been attempting to achieve a pregnancy unsuccessfully for over a year. The branch of science known as Reproductive Medicine helps couples achieve their greatest desire, a child of their own. While many people have chosen international adoption, many are traveling to Costa Rica from the US, Canada and Latin America to have their own child. Costa Rica's fertility doctors are highly trained physicians using state of the art techniques with prices that are a fraction of fertility procedures in North America.

 

From crowns to fillings to complicated multiple implants and periodontal work, Costa Rican dentists are as qualified and skilled as dentists anywhere in the world at affordable prices which are 50% to 70% less than comparable procedures in the US and Canada. Dental Medical Tourism continues to grow and many foreigners choose to have dental work done combined with vacation time. The cost savings can greatly discount and even pay for your Costa Rica vacation in paradise.