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What specifically are the “beenies” of being an ex-military in CR? I know you can have an APO box at the US embassy with your DD-214 and that tricare is available at the Cima (not Tricare Prime but Standart) there is a difference, but what else is there?
Luke asked my question but let me go a little further. If you are a disabled vet then you are eligible for medical coverage under VA. You can only have a APO at the Embassy if you have served 20 years in the military. You are not eligible just because you were in the military.
What more do you want? We do not have a PX or Commissary, what else is there. You can take a hop if you are retired. If they have a plane that goes out. The last time we called they said most of the planes have been committed to Iraq. So they did not have many flights leaving here.
Let’s clarify the situation. Yes, retired with 20 years. PX and Commisary? I live 3 miles away from MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida and hardly go there. I am %30 disabled and don’t go to the VA, it is pathetic. They operate at %125.00 capacity with mediocre care. There used to be a plane that did courier flights from Panama to Costa Rica and Florida. Now that Panama is closed, I don’t know. To the question of “What more do I want” (nothing more than what people in my category has in CR.) If there is something more all I did was ask for information, plain and simple.
As a vet you’ll be able to get medical care at CIMA hospital in San Jose which is one of the finest hospital anywhere. Built and run by American doctors with every speciality you’ll ever need.
Marcia
I am a vet, just moved to C.R. in June. I know where CIMA is (I think) is it sort of behind Price Smart?
Do you happen to know the cost of medical care there? Would I just go in with my VA card or do I have to do something else before hand.
Thanks for any info you can post!
Don Foster
Being a twenty year veteran gives you full service here in Costa Rica. You or your wife has to be Tricare standard or Tricare for life. Medicare Part B if over 65. We do not except Tricare Prime. It is easy to change Tricare Standard or Tricare for life, there are no penalties, meaning you could sign back to Tricare Prime when you went back home with no waiting period. You would also have to have a Costa Rica address reported in DEERS .
Here in Costa Rica we are considered out of net work provider so you would have deductibles that run from October1st to November 30th of every fiscal year. You have a $150 deductible per family member up to $300.00, a $3,000.00 catastrophic per family that you will pay %25 of all bills until the $3000.00 has been met then you are covered at %100. Being Costa Rica we use many medications from around the world so there are many medications not covered through Tricare. All medications have to be FDA approved. Any medication considered over the counter in the states are not covered either. In case of a hospitalization you would have to leave a deposit for any deductibles owed or non covered medication.
All services are available to you. X-rays, Laboratory testing, MRI, Appointments to the doctor, ect..
Documents needed:
Military I.D. card ( anyone using the program)
I need a copy of your DD-2214n form
Medicare part B
Address in Costa RicaIf there are any confusions or Question feel free to Email me or call. cduarte@clinicabiblica.com
Cristina Duarte
Tricare Coordinator
Hospital Clínica Bíblica
Tel. + (506) 522-1422
Fax. + (506) 257-7307
I haven’t yet moved to CR but the telephone number for CIMA is (506) 298-1000. They will connect you with the VA Office at the hospital and you can get all your questions answered. Be sure you have a copy of the veteran’s DD 214 Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (or Report of Separation for WWII and Korean era veterans). Good luck and I hope things work out for you.
Hi Mike,
I recommend you call the VA office at CIMA hospital. They’ll be able to answer all your questions. If you’re already in Costa Rica, call 208-1396. If you’re still in the US you can reach them by dialing: 011-506-208-1396. Jim at that office was escpecially helpful to me. I hope this will help you.
MarciaMike, TriCare comes under TriCare prime and standard. You are automatically enrolled in TriCare standard while living in overseas areas if the government does not have a facility here or if they do not have a assigned clinic of doctors. TriCare Prime, is set up like an HMO system, and that is not available here.
We have always selected TriCare standard even when living in the US because I like being able to select my doctor. The 25% cost is really very little. If you are a disabled Vet then you will come under VA medical for you condition and they pay everything.
We are very fortunate to have the benefit. The primary reason for cost in military health care is to cut down abuse of the system. When people have to pay money towards any medical care they are usually more cautious about what is being paid.
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