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Which Health Insurance???

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jorgill98
  8/23/2016 15:16 EST

Hi All. I am a single female from the USA. 34-years old with no kids (or plans to have them). I'm in good health with no pre-existing conditions or risky lifestyles. I am moving to Costa in October and will be on a very limited budget. I am wondering what I should do about health insurance? I won't have residency, so I don't qualify for Caja, and the private insurances seem very expensive. I'm wondering if I could get away with no private insurance, and just pay out of pocket for public health care. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about this? Thanks! -Jordan

irishlassie
  8/23/2016 16:20 EST

My husband and I are "self-insured " I have health concerns and am being seen at CIMA and pay out of pocket as I am 59. We have money set back and add to it monthly.

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freedom16
  8/23/2016 19:45 EST

I would think CR medical costs are lower than the US but would you think treatment at CIMA is considerably less. I've learned some Asian countries are 1/10 the US cost but I have not heard much about Costa Rica.

shermanwc
  8/24/2016 08:32 EST

Private medical care is reasonably priced in CR, such that many expats prefer self-pay to expensive insurance coverage. But it is always a good idea to have emergency funds; and a high deductible health insurance policy can protect you in case of an unexpected major medical condition, if you can afford it. I suggest checking policies at gninsurance.com and look at prices for policies with a $5000 deductible.

Kohl
  8/24/2016 18:58 EST

CAJA used to allow non-residents/tourists to use their system and pay for the service, but now it needs be a 'life or death emergency situation', usually requiring 'payment in advance' if a hospital stay is required. The private hospitals also require 'funds up front'.

SLORMEROD
  8/29/2016 09:00 EST

My wife and I are in CR on a dental/exploratory trip now. We attended a seminar (see www.arcr.net/). Great network. If you are serious, join. $110/yr I think. They will answer all questions and assist with anything (in English). We learned of Hospital Metropolitano (new, private hospital) http://www.metropolitanocr.com/. $10/ month (yes $10) gets 50-60% off already cheap prices for almost any procedure. No waiting. CAJA is mandatory with residency, but cheap. Good care, but long waits. Many anethesiologists have left CAJA to go here. Good luck!!

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linlewhammond
  8/29/2016 16:24 EST

I have read and been told by others of many experiences with private hospitals. The treatment is less than a deductible in US.

I personally had a cancerous tumor removed from my cheek. Did it on the spot.. Cost a tiny fraction of what would have happened in US. $140 included antibiotics and cream. There was a hole there and now cannot tell it was there.

I read on internet what the procedure would have been in US. I would have had several office visits before surgery and a TEAM of doctors to help decide best procedure. Here he showed me exact picture in a book and said I really should have removed right away. It was out first visit and on my way. You cannot pay me enough to go to a doc in US. In a period of 48 yrs each time I went was a total waste of money which is why I rarely went.

Eat well, walk up and down the hills of CR like we do every day without a car and let nature take its course with natural remedies as much as possible. Sooner or later we are all going to have to say 'adios' but I'm not going to do it with a pocketful of hospital bills, chemo, radiation or a body full of tubes. I can tell stories of what just holding on to your hat will do instead of running for meds that give you worse side effects than the original problem.

My husband had gum surgery. Our dentist in Florida said we paid less than half his cost.

Put away as much as you can instead of making the insurance companies rich. If you are feel you have one foot on a banana peel, spend what you would have on insurance for something on your bucket list, get a pint of your favorite ice cream or box of chocolate truffles and die happy!

CdnRugger
  8/29/2016 16:51 EST

The western system of Medicine is designed to keep you as a client not get you well.

I'm glad you are on a less stressfull path and your priorities are aligned with this

All our time is limited
.....good stuff!

." I want to slide into the home plate of life , my body totally used up, not perfect , a glass of wine in one hand and a smile on my face ....saying what a ride "

Keep moving

Buttmunch
  8/30/2016 08:45 EST

As an oncology nurse from the USA, I say,"amen, brother!"!!!!!

pebbalita
  9/4/2016 04:40 EST

CIMA wow although I have friends who are doctors there i think they will agree that you have mentioned THE most expensive private hospitals in C.R,,
They are many specialists in the private hospitals who ALSO work for the "CAJA" the local insurance system..BUT one must now be a resident to join then unlike the past is now mandatory . Although some of us do not need "specialist private hospitals " for example in our village of Heredia there are several good doctors .who charge less than $30 per visit. for instance one is a blood specialist a phlebotomist who charges only $40 so it depends on your heath issues . My doctors work in both the CAJA and the Private Hospitals great and fancy like Cima, Clinica Catolica and Clinica Biblica.
.I think that is a little known fact and I feel it may be a CR law that they put in time at the "Caja" Hospitals also..I will check with my friendly doctors :)

pebbalita
  9/4/2016 04:46 EST

My B&B Guest had a heart attack and an ambulance took her to the huge hospital in Heredia..her bill was a fraction of the cost if USA..and my NOW tenant told me he paid $160 for a lot of dental work done at a local clinic and he is a non resident :( go figure!

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pebbalita
  9/4/2016 04:52 EST

I always agree with your posts and like your attitudes...
A doctor friend told me about that Metropolitano Hospital in San Jose cheaper than many high priced Private " hozzies " He works at CIMA and talked me out of an OP there but he did operate on me in San Juan de Dios Caja hospital a while back ..

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