Medical Insurance in Costa Rica

[itsbutch]

Thank god for this site – I’ve used it many times and always get the right answers.

I am confused about medical care. My X lawyer told me and my brother to go to CIMA and sign up for their medical plan. She said once we are residents our cost will be about $13.00 a month. WONG!!!! We took her advice and we were quoted $360/Month each. I am 61, my brother is 66 – neigher of us are retired servicemen.

While visiting CIMA we were told that there’s a health care plane at Social Service Hospitals? (They referred to a hospital near the airport).

Neither of us have any “bad” medical problems, except highboood pressure and a little high in Cholestrol. My brother is boderline diabetic.

All we want to do is to find a plan that will cover medicines and maybe a hospital stay (not at CIMA) that may occure in the future.

Are there any plans that one can purchase. I am still holding a medical plan in the states “Secure Horizon”, but I don’t think it’s honored here in Costa Rica. I have made attempts to call the states to see if it’s honored here, but I get the ol’ push 1, push 5, etc., finally get a real person, and I get put on hold and then timed out – the last call was $10 for nothing.

Thanks, any help will be appreciated!

Butch

[DavidCMurray]

There are about four choices . . .

Once you’re a legal resident, you can enroll in the CAJA national medical program. It functions much like a U.S. HMO with limits on which providers participate, which drugs are provided, etc. The monthly cost is based upon your income.

Or, you can buy medical insurance from INS. They offer several options of coverage, deductible, annual maximums, etc. What they do not cover is pre-existing conditions.

A third choice is to purchase medical insurance from an international company. There are a couple of agents who advertise in the Tico Times. CIMA Hospital also offers a private health insurance plan with a variety of provisions.

And if you’re now covered by a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan, I’ve just learned about their Blue Care Worldwide Expat program which reimburses you for medical care received outside the U.S. and which covers you for 45 days in the U.S. I’ve asked them to send me more information than what’s on-line at blueexpat.bcbs.com.

Hope this helps.

[itsbutch]

David
Thanks a bunch!!!! It’s a BIG help. I am so amazed that I can contact my lawyer, ask these pointed questions, and she immediately can tell me “the wrong answer”

I’m sure your post will help others with the same question.

Thanks Again

[gg]

What are the options for non-residents? Must they obtain international coverage? Thanks, Gee Gee

[DavidCMurray]

I *think* the CIMA plans and maybe the INS plans are available to non-residents. I’m confident that the CAJA plan is not. Otherwise, you’re going to have to shop the private, international plans.

You should be aware, too, that unless you’re facing a major medical expense, it may be less expensive to pay cash than to pay insurance premiums and then face deductibles, co-pays, etc. Compared to the U.S., health care here is very, very reasonable.

For example, a few months ago I had a gastroscopy (endoscopic examination of my esophagus and stomach) and a colonoscopy. In the colonoscopy, they found eight benign polyps and removed them. The polyps went to the lab. For the whole service, including the gastroenterologist, lab and anesthesia, the cash cost at CIMA was $633.00.

Edited on Dec 14, 2006 15:29

[mediatica]

INS is open only to residents. They made me show proof that I was one when I bought a plan for my husband and I a couple of months ago.

[harvcarp]

Just to clarify;

INS is open only to foreigners who have legal residency or to declare by means of a notarized affidavit that their legal residency is in process.
An attorney can furnish the document for a small cost!

[Author]

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