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," explained one expat living in San José, Costa Rica.

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"Yes, there are a good number of medical specialists in San Jose. People in need of highly specialized medical care can go to the CIMA Hospital, which is a private hospital that offers a wide range of medical services, including specialized care. Additionally, the Hospital Mexico, which is a public hospital, also offers specialized medical care. For those seeking specialized care outside of San Jose, the Clinica Biblica in San Jose is a private hospital that offers a wide range of medical services, including highly specialized care," said another expat in San Jose, Costa Rica.