My gal and I returned from celebrating New Year with her family in Guatemala and I came back with a pinched nerve and atrocious pains in my upper neck, mid and lower-back, and hips…

I keep in pretty good shape, I do sprint training, work out and had no falls or accidents on the trip so this was quite confusing …

After I couldn’t stand the pain any more and after I had proved to myself that I really needed to get help other than my weekly masseuse and chiropractor, I visited my friends at the private Hospital Metropolitano

The Doctor assured me that the ‘wear and tear’ on my bod is probably more to do with my time in Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Commandos, high-diving, getting slammed into the sand a thousand times while surfing for years in West Africa, various marathons, a few motorcycle accidents (how I’m still walking I have no bloody idea), falling off a few galloping horses, boxing for years and general overuse and abuse…

Puravida!

What am I rambling on about today?

The cost of private health care and private hospitals in Costa Rica!

We never know when we’ll need it! All temporary and permanent residents living in Costa Rica MUST pay into the health care system – the CAJA – each month which I do but, I normally chose to visit a private hospital and this is what was included when I hobbled along to Hospital Metropolitano to see Dr. Felipe and his team:

1. A consultation with an experienced orthopedic surgeon.
2. Two wonderful injections: One anti-inflammatory and one muscle relaxant.
3. Four X-Rays of my spine…
4. A further consultation with the orthopedic surgeon.

The total cost? c87,445.42 which at today’s exchange rate is: US$173

If you know how that compares to what you might expect to pay back home where you are, please let me know ‘cos I’d love to know but I was thrilled with the speed of service, the genuine caring attitude and the price and, you don’t hear that too often about health care costs eh?

But I gotta’ go now or I’ll be late for my hang-gliding lesson…

Randall, one of our VIP Members from the U.S. emailed me saying:

“In response to you article about medical costs. I do anesthesia in the US. The xray’s alone with readings would be $500-600 dollars, the consult $150.00, injections around $150.00 and follow up appointment $75.00. So all in all $900-1,000.00

And Russ who is a retired Police Officer from Nevada and he emailed me saying:

1. Consultation with orthopedic surgeon = $164 each separate session
2. 4 x-rays of the spine (with report) = $1,100
3. Injections = ? (I don’t know as I didn’t go that far, but will consider it).

Hmm!

Which would you prefer? US$175 or US$1,000++?

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 3. Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 4. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.