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Health insurance for part-time residents

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biotouchbonnie
  4/2/2016 13:11 EST

My husband and I are considering retiring at the age of 58 and living part-time in Costa Rica and part-time in U.S. Is there health insurance coverage available in Costa Rica that will cover us when we are in the U.S.? We plan to become residents of Costa Rica, but it appears that their coverage is only for that country.

shermanwc
  4/2/2016 15:07 EST

Under the Affordable Care Act in the USA, you must be physically outside the USA for at least 330 days out of a 365 day period to be exempt from requirements to maintain qualifying health coverage in the USA. There are international health insurance policies that provide worldwide health coverage either including or excluding the USA, but the coverage in the USA does not generally meet the requirements of the ACA for US residents. It is intended for "expats" that maintain residency outside the USA. I am not aware of any international policies that provide coverage that satisfy ACA, so you likely would need to keep your USA policy (unless/until you become residents of CR).

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shermanwc
  4/2/2016 15:12 EST

Once you become legal residents of Costa Rica, you should be able to get an international policy that includes coverage in the USA. But the policy will likely also have a limitation on time spent in the USA. I am a CR resident and have such a policy that allows up to 180 days in the USA.

biotouchbonnie
  4/2/2016 15:28 EST

That is the type of policy I would want. The plan is to spend (approximately) half the year in each location. So am I understanding that one international policy would cover us for both Costa Rica and USA, once we get our residency, instead of obtaining Costa Rican insurance?

carolvaughn
  4/2/2016 18:26 EST

You cannot get Residency in CR without
joining the CAJA. That fact discourages
many part-timers here.

shermanwc
  4/2/2016 19:39 EST

That policy would cover private health care in both Costa Rica and the USA (subject to a deductible). But as a CR resident, you will be required to joint the government health care system (CCSS/CAJA) and will need to pay a monthly fee. Like us, many expats buy private health care to supplement the government health care to have more options for doctors and hospitals and faster care. I use CAJA for regular checkups, routine blood tests, and daily prescriptions, but we go to private doctors for non-routine health needs.

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shermanwc
  4/2/2016 19:43 EST

Check some international health insurers here: www.gninsurance.com. We bought WEA health insurance. (My wife and I are in our 60s.)

biotouchbonnie
  4/2/2016 21:43 EST

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it and now understand what we will need in order to be covered and legal :-).

Jimm
  5/4/2016 13:37 EST

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers what you are asking for.

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