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Hi everyone:
We are in the process of looking at the big issues regarding a move to CR.
The biggest: pre-existing medical conditons…and lots of them for me.
I’m not real comfortable with the idea of winging it and dealing with the hospital/doctors once I’m passed out on the floor. Unfortunately, I have medical issues that require ongoing medical screening.Can people with a host of medical conditions pay into the national insurance? Or is it like most insurance in that pre-existing problems are not covered or bar you completely.
This is the issue that will probably determine whether we move or not.
Tbanks! LeahLeah, you have at least four options.
First, you can pay cash for your medical care. Obviously, all preexisting conditions will be covered. Medical care here is generally pretty good and very reasonably priced. You’ll be surprised.
Second, you can purchase a policy from a private company that covers you worldwide. These will have various options and exclusions, and you need to consider the protection they may or may not afford if you make large claims, etc. What will keep them from terminating you or denying claims? What’s your protection? There are ads in the Tico Times.
Third, you can come to Costa Rica and purchase a policy from INS, the national optional insurance monopoly. INS offers a couple of levels of coverage. In the application process, there’s a health questionnaire and you may have to provide documentation of your medical condition.
Generally speaking, INS will either exclude coverage for preexisting conditions, they will surcharge you, or both. I have Type 2 diabetes. INS has excluded coverage for my diabetes and the related hypertension and high cholesterol. Since heart disease is also common to diabetics, they charge me (but not my wife) a 60% surcharge to cover cardiac matters. INS does not cover dental or vision services.
The fourth option is to obtain legal residency in Costa Rica and then join the CAJA – the national health system. The CAJA imposes no limitations on coverage or on preexisting conditions, but you are limited to obtaining care within their system. Not all drugs are provided and there can be long waits for some services.
There was an article in the news a year ago about the CAJA system scheduling ultrasound screenings for pregnant women ten months out. We have a neighbor who has severe migraine headaches and has been waiting over a year for an MRI. Some of the drugs I take for my diabetes and high cholesterol are not provided.
An option you might consider is to take a “blended” approach. That is, you might opt to obtain your legal residency, enroll in the CAJA system, and also plan to pay for some of your care in cash. Or you might buy a policy from INS or one of the private companies and also plan to pay for some of your care yourself.
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