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[quote=”maravilla”]there are some pretty out of date US doctors, too. i think it depends on where you live here in Costa Rica. I have neighbors who have some very complicated medical issues, including MS, and they have gotten exemplary care from the CAJA and the doctors there. I had to educate my doctor in the states more than once on the risks of certain medications, which he was told by the pharam rep were perfectly safe. in my experience, you had better be pretty educated about your own medical conditions rather than trusting any doctor implicitly (unless of course you’ve been hit by a bus!)[/quote]
What’s that expression? “Knowledge is Power”? I truly believe that. And given all the new tools available to us these days through the internet learning and understanding as much as possible about ones own medical issues will likely help you in the long run receive better care by asking the right questions and exploring various options.
An example is just the other day I read a report where it was diclosed that Roches’s Avastin which is used to treat various types of cancers had also been shown to be very effective in the treatment of Macular Degeneration the Wet type). Additionally, a single injection of Avastin in the eye has a far…far..lower cost than the more common alternative which is Lucentis. Being a Diabetic with some mild Diabetic Retinopathy I contacted my Retina Specialist whom I have been seeing for a dozen years now and who at one point was the Director of the Retina Division at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and I asked him about this report and whether the success of Avastin could also benefit patients with Diabetic Retinopathy to which he replied back that he has been using Avastin shots in a number of his patients with more severe DR for over 5 years and with great success. Educating one self I believe is essential in ensuring that you are comfortable that you are receiving the best possible medical care available.
To all of this I would simply add that the body of information, good and bad, current and out of date, is simply too great for any single practitioner to absorb and assimilate. I certainly don’t expect any general practitioner to know it all. Nor do I expect that of the endocrinologist who helps manage my diabetes (and who’s doing a fine job).
It is for this reason alone that I insist on keeping all my medical care options open. Yes, I’m enrolled in the CAJA, but I elect to choose my own doctors and to change them or get second opinions whenever I feel the need. And it’s why I’m enrolled in Medicare.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]To all of this I would simply add that the body of information, good and bad, current and out of date, is simply too great for any single practitioner to absorb and assimilate. I certainly don’t expect any general practitioner to know it all. Nor do I expect that of the endocrinologist who helps manage my diabetes (and who’s doing a fine job).
It is for this reason alone that I insist on keeping all my medical care options open. Yes, I’m enrolled in the CAJA, but I elect to choose my own doctors and to change them or get second opinions whenever I feel the need. And it’s why I’m enrolled in Medicare.[/quote]
And lets not forget to cherish the fact that we still have the Freedon to Choose but that freedom, under these new healthcare reforms may become more and more in jeapordy.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]To all of this I would simply add that the body of information, good and bad, current and out of date, is simply too great for any single practitioner to absorb and assimilate. I certainly don’t expect any general practitioner to know it all. Nor do I expect that of the endocrinologist who helps manage my diabetes (and who’s doing a fine job).
It is for this reason alone that I insist on keeping all my medical care options open. Yes, I’m enrolled in the CAJA, but I elect to choose my own doctors and to change them or get second opinions whenever I feel the need. And it’s why I’m enrolled in Medicare.[/quote]
David, I thought that Medicare was not usuable here in Costa Rica. Thats why I have not elected anything from medicare except what is free. Ron USCG RetRon, you are correct. Medicare will not pay for services received outside the U.S. We have elected to enroll in Part B anyway. By doing so, we keep our BC/BS supplemental coverage which includes a mail-in pharmacy benefit and we retain the freedom to return to the U.S. for elective care and care that may not be available in Costa Rica.
If one of us needs a hip replacement, for example, the cash cost at CIMA would be monumental and the delay in the CAJA system might be protracted. With Medicare Parts A and B we could seek that care in the U.S.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]Ron, you are correct. Medicare will not pay for services received outside the U.S. We have elected to enroll in Part B anyway. By doing so, we keep our BC/BS supplemental coverage which includes a mail-in pharmacy benefit and we retain the freedom to return to the U.S. for elective care and care that may not be available in Costa Rica.
If one of us needs a hip replacement, for example, the cash cost at CIMA would be monumental and the delay in the CAJA system might be protracted. With Medicare Parts A and B we could seek that care in the U.S.[/quote]
Thank you David, I thought that I might be missing something. But so far I have not. Thank you Ron USCG RetArticle today regarding [url=http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Top-Story/Foreigner-struggles-to-receive-kidney-in-Costa-Rica_Friday-April-29-2011]Nicaraguan and the CAJA [/url]
Great subject matter. Are there any vets or anyone else, with knowledge on how the Tricare Latin America program for military retirees, affects participation in the CAJA? I will have the Tricare Latin America military retiree healthcare, prior to filing for legal residency and CAJA health insurance. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
There is no exemption from the requirement to be continuously enrolled in the CAJA for those with TriCare or any other health care coverage. If you’re a legal resident you must be enrolled in the CAJA.
Be aware that Tricare last until you are 65 and then “PUFF” it goes away and it does not matter if you move to CR, if your pension, SSA is from the USA you will pay Medicare in the USA and the Caja IN cr.
DOUBLE whammy???
welcome to the World of the “whacked” MATH
Senior citizens will get the double overcharge, want it or not
[quote=”aguirrewar”]Be aware that Tricare last until you are 65 and then “PUFF” it goes away and it does not matter if you move to CR, if your pension, SSA is from the USA you will pay Medicare in the USA and the Caja IN cr.
DOUBLE whammy???
welcome to the World of the “whacked” MATH
Senior citizens will get the double overcharge, want it or not[/quote]
Yes, except that enrollment in Medicare is voluntary for everyone who is eligible. So, in fact, no one need be overcharged at all.
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