San Jose, Costa Rica
Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in San Jose, Costa Rica
Last updated on Apr 12, 2023
Summary: San Jose, Costa Rica is home to several hospitals and clinics, including Hospital Mexico, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Hospital La Catolica, and Clinica Biblica. Emergency services in San Jose are generally reliable, and ambulances can be called by dialing 911. The quality of medical care in San Jose is generally comparable to that of the United States, though some specialized treatments may not be available.
How are healthcare services San Jose?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in San Jose, they replied:
"San Jose offers a wide range of healthcare services, including both public and private hospitals and clinics. The public healthcare system is managed by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which provides free or low-cost medical care to all citizens and legal residents. Private healthcare facilities are also available, offering a higher level of service and more specialized care. In addition, there are a number of specialized medical centers, such as the Costa Rican Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, which provide specialized care for neurological conditions. San Jose also has a number of pharmacies, providing access to medications and other health-related products," remarked one expat in San Jose.
"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.
What are medical services in San Jose like?
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AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote!
AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world. Presently the AGS Group has over 141 locations in more than 95 countries and has one of the largest networks in the international removals industry. We relocate 85,000 families every year. Free moving quote!
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to San Jose?
- Where should I setup a bank account in San Jose?
- Will I be able to find a job in San Jose?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in San Jose appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in San Jose?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in San Jose accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in San Jose like?
- How are healthcare services San Jose?
- What are medical services in San Jose like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in San Jose?
- What are emergency services like in San Jose?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in San Jose?
- How are local medical facilities in San Jose?
- As a foreigner living in San Jose, 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?
