Healthcare and Health Insurance in Costa Rica

Summary: The quality of medical care in Costa Rica is generally considered to be on par with the United States. Costa Rica has a well-developed healthcare system with modern facilities and highly trained medical professionals. Emergency services are available and can be accessed by calling 911. Ambulance services are also available and can be requested by calling 128.

How are healthcare services Costa Rica?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Costa Rica, they replied:

"If you're a resident you pretty much have to enroll in the Caja, the public health system, and if you aren't, you can't. So there's that. Whether or not you enroll in the Caja, if you have the funds, private insurance is nice. INS, the state insurance company, sells a pretty good policy for not too much money, and (ahem) it's darn near customary not to mention pre-existing conditions on the application. After a year or so INS doesn't care, and it does pay. Blue Cross and others have now entered the market, but I doubt they're as lax as INS. Of course, you can always pay out-of-pocket for private at prices about a third of US prices, but even a third adds up. Me, I'm only in the Caja now, since I let my INS policy lapse, but that's because I'm poor. People of some affluence usually do both--private for ease and comfort, public as a backup. Oh, in the Caja plan on speaking Spanish. Most Caja docs will know a little English and a few will be fluent, but the system operates in Spanish and you can't count on anyone speaking English. In the private system almost everybody speaks English," remarked one expat living in San José.

"Costa Rica has excellent medical care with a two prong system, both public and private. All legal residents and citizens of Costa Rica are eligible to participate in the public healthcare system which is basically free although you have to be a member of the CAJA and pay a % based on the income level you declared when you applied for residency. A tip for expats is to show evidence of enough income to qualify for their residency programs but perhaps not to show all your income if not needed to qualify. (You have to show proof of a pension, annuity or government program that pays you at least $1000 per couple to qualify for their pensionado program). If you don't qualify by those means, you can also apply as a rentista, (renter), an inversionista (an investor) or as a foreign sponsored national with a work visa. You can also marry a Costa Rican... Keep in mind that there is also a private healthcare network available, which is often the preferred option to many expats. There is often a waiting time to get seen under the public system, even things like lab work might take longer than you want to wait. The private healthcare system is generally available immediately and insurance can be purchased to cover you in those facilities. You can also often offer to pay at the CAJA and be seen quicker than those not paying for service. In an emegency, the CAJA will take anyone. Costa Rica uses a local clinic methodology where they locate clinics nearly everywhere based on population needs. These clinics are referred to as the EBAIS clinics and can be found in nearly every town of any size. Major operations, whether in the public or private healthcare system, will likely be performed in San Jose. The private healthcare networks consisting of Clinica Biblica, CIMA and Hospital Mexico, offer great service for a fraction of the cost in the US. Clinica Biblica has an international medicine center, assigns patients a health navigator to help with things like language barriers and offers services that may not even be available in the states. I have had nothing but great experiences there, everything from blood work, orthapedics, dentistry, colonoscopy, endoscopy, stress test and EKG, bone density scans, lipids exams, urinalysis, hearing and eye tests, ultrasounds and more. I have stuff done that I could never afford to do in the states and pay a fraction of the cost I would in the US. The facilities are all impeccably clean and the doctors don't seem to be afraid of their patients and lawsuits. In our area in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, we have one of the newest CAJA hospitals in all of Costa Rica. The Hospital de Osa is an 88 bed, 80,000 square foot facility complete with emergency room, pharmacy and more. I recommend everyone should try the Costa Rican healthcare system to see what we are missing in the US," said one expat living in Cortez.

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What are medical services in Costa Rica like?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Costa Rica, they replied:

"Options are not centralized. Seems "word of mouth" is the only way to learn options," remarked one expat living in Grecia.

"I was hospitalized for a week. Other than the $75 a month I pay for my public health coverage, it cost me nothing. I saw several specialists and had many high end tests.Wonderful care," said one expat living in Grecia.

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Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Costa Rica?

"I was paying around $100 a month for my INS policy, but crossed into the next age bracket plus filed a few claims and my premium doubled. It was still a good deal, but too much for me. The Caja tax is around $100 a month for a pensionado, unfortunately much higher for rentistas. It's set by your income, and most expats just pay according to the income requirements of their residency type. Caja services, including generic prescription meds, are 100% covered, so you never pay more than your monthly tax. Private docs are realistically $80 a visit. You hear of lower prices, but if you go to a specialist (including an internist) plan on $80. As a rule of thumb, pretty much everything else is around 1/3 the price it is in the US," commented one expat who moved to San José.

"Amazingly inexpensive. My personal experience with costs without insurance include a colonoscopy that was quoted at $3300 in the states that was done in Costa Rica for $300. I have a number of crowns in my mouth that I paid $300 to $400 including the root canal and crown," said one expat.

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What are emergency services like in Costa Rica?

When we asked about emergency services, members in Costa Rica wrote:

"Near me there are public primary care units that do not attend emergencies. The best private hospitals are Hospital Clínica Bíblica, CIMA and Clínica Católica. These services are of the highest quality. The availability of ambulances is good, both for the private and public areas," commented one expat living in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.

"The closest hospital is on the outskirts of Quepos and is named Max Teran Hospital. There is an emergency room and the quality of care is very good. As it is a national care (part of the socialized medical care system in Costa Rica) you will not find the same amount of services as in a top of the line private care facility in the states. However, the staff is professional and caring. Be aware, not all staff members will speak English. Hospital Max Teran is a public hospital but accepts patients who are not in the public health care system. All are treated the same with the exception that a person on the national care system is not required to pay at the time of discharge. If the staff feels your condition is better treated at another facility, they will discuss this with you and make recommendations on other options available to you," wrote one expat.

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Will I need to travel to see a specialist?

"If you go private (and either pay through insurance or out of pocket), specialists are easy. They're everywhere and fast, friendly appointments are normal. If you're in the public system, specialists are often where the system breaks down the most. Everybody is assigned to a local clinic, and these are fine, but most local clinics don't have specialists. To see a specialist you're sent elsewhere, and this can take multiple visits simply to make an appointment (you actually need appointments to make appointments) and then when you finally get an appointment, it can be up to a year later. I've also had the clerk lose my file and tell me I needed to start all over again, although in fairness I once saw a specialist on the same day I was sent. Anyway, seeing specialists is often the weakest link in the public health system chain, and many locals just pay private at this point. But sometimes seeing a specialist in the public system is easy. It's a crap shoot," wrote one expat.

"Drive 1 hr 30 minutes to see specialists in Liberia. Some medical procedures, such as an MRI, require a drive to San Jose, 5 hours away," commented one expat who moved to Tamarindo.

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Are common prescription medications available in Costa Rica?

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Costa Rica. Most pharmacies in the country carry a wide variety of medications, including those that require a prescription. However, it is important to note that some medications may not be available in Costa Rica, so it is best to check with a local pharmacist before traveling. Additionally, some medications may require a doctor's prescription in order to be purchased in Costa Rica," remarked one expat in Costa Rica.

"Medicines prescribed in the public sector are received at your care center, at no cost to the patient. In that sense, the availability of drugs is always high. I do not need prescription drugs. If you have to buy a drug and pay for it yourself, the cost is high in the country," remarked one expat living in Santa Ana.

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Do you have anything more to add about local medical facilities in Costa Rica?

"The Hospital de Osa, a new hospital with 88 beds, 80,000 square feet, an emergency room and lots of doctors is located just 15 minutes down the coastal highway. There are also local clinics and dentists in Uvita, the next town to the north. You won't have open heart surgery in this area, but almost anything else is possible," said one expat.

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As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

"I am eligible to enroll in the public health system. To do so, the expat must have their legal residence. The amount of the voluntary insurance is about US $ 40 a month (US $ 480 a year), and the registration process is simple. Generally, expats insure themselves, since it is an advantage to have a fairly wide network of public hospitals. Pre-existing conditions are covered. The quality of the public health service is debatable, as the times to get medical appointments are sometimes very long," said one expat living in Santa Ana.

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What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?

We asked expats in Costa Rica if they have access to public healthcare in Costa Rica. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...

"Getting an antigen test from a private lab company (Labin) was anything but straightforward, you are supposed to set up an appt through their website and buy the test ahead of time. But unless you are in or close to San Jose, it is much more practical to find a local lab and just walk in (remember to bring a copy of your fly-out ticket so they know they're testing you within the proper time window). You can also contact a local lab via Whatsapp, but what they don't specify is that you have to text them rather than call (they say on their site you can also set up an appt this way, but I never got it to work). Just be prepared to double-check everything and bring paper copies of your travel details pertaining to leaving the country.," mentioned one expat in Heredia.

"The hospitalization I described above was during the Vivid crisis last summer. I am currently waiting for my vaccines. They are going by age in the area where I live and I am behind many elderly people. Other friend have already been vaccinated," commented one expat who moved to Grecia, Costa Rica.

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What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Costa Rica?

We asked expat moms who gave birth in Costa Rica about their experiences and advice they have for other moms to be. They said:

"It is important to research the local healthcare system when planning for a baby in Costa Rica and to arrange for pre and postnatal checkups both for the mother and the baby. It is also important to make sure that both the mother and the baby have the appropriate vaccines prior to and after birth so that they are as protected as possible from communicable diseases. You should also consider registering your baby with the Costa Rican authorities and obtaining a passport before you leave the country. Finally, it is useful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish, the local language, as it will help you settle into life in Costa Rica and understand any medical advice you receive more easily," explained one expat living in Costa Rica.

Are healthcare services good in Costa Rica?

We asked people if they have access to good medical care in Costa Rica. They wrote:

"Costa Rica provides comprehensive and affordable healthcare services to its citizens and expatriates. The country has an extensive network of public and private healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, offering a wide range of medical services. Costa Rica makes a special effort to ensure that free or low-cost services are available to those who cannot afford private healthcare. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in Costa Rica are highly trained and knowledgeable. The country also has modern medical equipment and facilities, as well as efficient emergency services. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world to offer universal healthcare coverage to all citizens, and its healthcare system continues to improve over time," said one expat in Costa Rica.

"Yes. The area that I am in is close to major hospitals. I've also purchased private insurance which helps," remarked one in Grecia.

15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Costa Rica

How are healthcare services Costa Rica?

What are medical services in Costa Rica like?

Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Costa Rica?

What are emergency services like in Costa Rica?

Will I need to travel to see a specialist?

Are common prescription medications available in Costa Rica?

Do you have anything more to add about local medical facilities in Costa Rica?

As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?

What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Costa Rica?

Are healthcare services good in Costa Rica?

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