Health Care in Costa Rica compares favourably with the best in the world. The UNDP's Human Development Index listed average life exectancy as 79, which is equal to the US.[7] This is in part due to the universal health care, the excellent public and private hospitals - and, naturally, the healthy lifestyle.
What if I get sick?
If it is not an emergency, the first course of action is to head to your neighbourhood pharmacy, and consult with the pharmacist (referred to as doctor or doctora.) Pharmacists in Costa Rica are highly educated professionals and can easily and accurately diagnose and treat many common problems. If the pharmacist determines that it is serious, he or she will send you to the nearest clinic or hospital for treatment. You can also make an appointment, usually within a day or two, to see a general physician or a specialist directly. If it is an emergency, you can call an ambulance by dialing 911.
How about the quality of healthcare?
Costa Rica has a number of first class private hospitals. CIMA, for example, is part of a chain based in Texas and affiliated with the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. It has state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and many of its specialists are still affiliated with their professional colleges in the USA. CIMA is the only hospital in Central America that has been accredited by the Department of Veterans affairs. [8] Hospital Clinica Biblica is affiliated with the Ochsner Medical Institute & Tulane University School of Medicine in the USA. The hospital exceeds many quality indicators ahead of US hospital benchmarks. Around 50% of the staff has had training in the USA. The hospital is self-contained with all the patient amenities at one place. Physicians working here have training in the latest medical techniques. The medical equipment is modern. This is the only hospital in Costa Rica that has its own blood bank.[9]
Is it expensive?
Costa Rica has a two-tiered medical system. A nationalized system is provided by the CCSS that gives free access to medical facilities, and a private system that boasts some of the best hospitals in the Americas. Any foreigner living in Costa Rica can join the medical insurance system by paying a small monthly fee, and by doing so have access to its Universal health care. Just like any other nationalized health care, wait times are longer - especially for elective procedures - and many expats and visitors prefer to visit private facilities. If you do not have medical insurance, a visit to a private doctor will cost around $40. Most medical procedures cost between 50% and 70% less than in the United States. In fact, the combination of excellent care and low prices have created an new industry in Costa Rica - "Medical Tourism".
What about private insurance?
The government of Costa Rica, through INS, has now started offering private medical insurance to foreigners and residents. Naturally it is more expensive than the public alternative, but it offers many benefits in faster treatment times and access to private, English-speaking hospitals. Other private medical insurance companies have started to open in Costa Rica since the CAFTA treaty was ratified in 2008, and many of them offer excellent benefits at comparitively low prices. Coverage can also be purchased from inside the US and Canada, but it is often more expensive than the local versions, and is designed primarily for emergency treatment.
For more information, please feel free to browse some of the following material, or contact us to learn more.
7. Human Development Report 2009-Country Fact Sheets - Costa Rica
8. Medical Tourism Co. - CIMA Hospital Costa Rica
9. Medical Tourism Co. - Clinica Biblica Hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica
