Health care in costa rica and the gringo price.

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  • #189274
    soflodoug
    Member

    I went to CIMA hospital for the purpose of having a primary doctor and also I had a varicose vein in my leg which I wanted removed.

    I had the ultrasound performed by a very good and informative radiologist issuing a very thorough report and scan confirmed by the surgeon where i ended up in Panama.

    Anyway The surgeon in CIMA gave me a price of $2750.00 usd for his surgery work and also not telling me that CIMA would have more charges for the operating room of about $1000.00 to $2000.00 usd. I asked the surgeon is this the same price that you give all people here and he said yes.

    I then spoke to my primary doctor and he said immediately did i talk to the doctor and what was the price he gave me. I told him and he reacted that was high. He asked me if I wanted him to talk to the surgeon and I said ok, however I was already planning to get another quote for this.

    I had plans to go to Panama and I would also take my report there and get an opinion and quote there. Long story in short I went to a major hospital in Punta Paitilla, I met with a highly regarded cardio surgeon there, he reviewed my report complimenting how well it was done by the radiologist in CIMA,however he quoted me $800.00 for the whole operation,including operating room and everything.

    I said ok lets do it. I must say I had the operation in 2 days and completed with flying colors.

    I am up to my ears here with everybody trying to rip off the gringo. Food, televisions, most things are multiple the prices in the states.

    Panama is looking much better.
    soflo

    #189275
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Do we know how much this procedure would have cost in the USA?

    Do we know how much experience these surgeons have both in Costa Rica and in Panama?

    Having spent about $4,500 on medical costs at CIMA with my girlfriend recently, your estimates do sound high.

    We had round the clock care, she stayed in CIMA for a total of five nights, had an operation to insert seven pins and a plate in her arm and then fought off a systemic infection where we had a nurse visit our home every 12 hours for about seven days to give intravenous antibiotics and pain killers.

    My personal experience with CIMA and all my family members (girlfriend, girlfriend’s son, mother and father have all been treated there) has been better than any experience at any hospital we have been at in the UK, the USA and other countries we have lived in but I do appreciate that not everyone has had the same experience.

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #189276
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    It’s a puzzle, all right. I’m having surgery on my knee tomorrow afternoon. I’ve been quoted less than $1,000 for the hospital, $400 for the anesthesia, and $2,000 for the surgeon. The latter is a veteran specialist with specialized training in arthroscopic knee surgery, so I guess he’s worth his salt, but his fee seems high to me.

    Nonetheless, I’m forging ahead.

    #189277
    Peg
    Member

    David,
    Good luck with your knee surgery. I had knee replacement surgery in the U.S., it cost me $25,000.00.

    #189278
    soflodoug
    Member

    Good luck on your surgery david,dont worry once you receive the anestesia everything will seem ok,hahah
    soflo

    #189279
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Thank you, Peg. How did your knee replacement go? Are you back to fighting trim?

    Soflo, I feel much better now. Thanks a bunch.

    #189280

    Dr. Henry Davidovich Rose, 255-0244, who is an English speaking internal specialist, performed an endoscopy and a colonoscopy for me at CIMA. This procedure cost me only $350.00 for the doctor, anesthesiologist, lab technician, the operating room and very detailed photos of my internal organs. I felt very satisfied and was impressed with the facility and the entire procedure.

    #189281
    Peg
    Member

    David,
    I don’t know about the trim part, but I’m still fighting. That was 8 years ago. God only knows what it would cost today. I will eventually have to have the other one done, but I’m holding off as long as I can. I hope that I can get that one done in CR. Can’t afford US prices.
    I hope everything goes well for you.

    #189282
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Well, I’m back from CIMA and the arthroscopy and have nothing to complain about. The outpatient surgery staff were efficient, attentive and compassionate. As Soflodoug promised, once the anesthesia went in I didn’t feel a thing.

    This procedure was paid for by INS. At first they denied pre-authorization thinking that it was a pre-existing condition, but once we filled in the information gaps they came through with an approval quite promptly. We shall see what part of the surgeon’s charge they pay, but the hospital and anesthesia were billed directly to them.

    I, too, have a DVD of the procedure. If anyone cares, we can schedule an airing.

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