Quality Health Care in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has universal health care, one of the best health systems in Latin America. As always with nationalized health care, expect red tape and long waits, but the quality of Costa Rica's health care is excellent. Private health care is also available, very affordable, and high quality. Many doctors speak English and have received training in Europe, Canada, or the U.S. There are three large, private hospitals that most expatriates use: CIMA hospital in Escazú, Clinica Biblica in San José, and Clinica Católica in San José-Guadalupe.

Statistics from the World Health Organization frequently place Costa Rica in the top country rankings in the world for long life expectancy, often even ahead of Great Britain and the United States; even though the per capita income of Costa Ricans is about one tenth that of the U.S. and the U.K. Arguably, one reason for this is the slower pace of living in Costa Rica. And, of course, the healthy, fresh, non-preservative-laden foods found there, and the welcoming tropical climate. Costa Rica just seems to be a healthy place to live.

Costa Rica's government-run health care system

With a government-sponsored network of more than 30 hospitals and more than 250 clinics throughout the country, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) has primary responsibility for providing low-cost health care services to the Costa Rican populace. Although sometimes overburdened, this system has worked well for Costa Ricans for the past 60 or so years. Open not just to Costa Rican residents, the CCSS provides affordable medical service to any foreign resident or visitor. Foreigners living in Costa Rica can join the CCSS by paying a small monthly fee - based on income - or they can buy health insurance from the State monopoly Instituto de Seguro Nacional (INS), valid with over 200 affiliated doctors, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies in the private sector.

Costa Rica's private health care system

Many of the country's highly trained physicians and some dentists work in the mornings for the CCSS and operate their own offices and clinics in the afternoons and evenings. While private health care in Costa Rica is more expensive than that offered by the same doctors and surgeons through the CCSS, the price is still far below that of the average office visit in the U.S. For example, a private office visit to almost any medical specialist costs around US$40. Continued treatments for diagnosed problems will vary but will almost always be considerably less than comparable treatment in the United States. Dental work, too, is provided at a much lower cost than in the U.S. - prompting a phenomenon known as "health tourism."

Two well-known private hospitals, Clinica Biblica and Clinica Catolica, where many CCSS doctors practice in the afternoons and evenings, offer first-class, ultra-modern services. Affiliated with U.S. hospitals, these two private providers have costs somewhat higher than the public providers but still considerably below anything found in the States.

Cosmetic surgery: A full range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures are available in several modern clinics. With the addition of contemporary laser technology, the ability of Costa Rica's plastic and cosmetic surgeons to provide world-class services has been enhanced. Procedures routinely offered by plastic surgeons include total and partial face lifts or reconstruction; tummy tucks; breast reduction, augmentation and reconstruction; liposuction; liposculpture; electrolysis for the permanent depilation of unwanted hair; removal of acne scars and other skin irregularities; and many other procedures to counteract aging, or enhance beauty. Prices are sometimes 50% lower than in the United States, but it is important to note that each case is different and prices are quoted on an individual basis after a consultation.

Dental procedures: From simple fillings to complicated multiple implants and periodontal work, Costa Rican dentists are as qualified and skilled as dentists anywhere - and prices are far less than most anywhere else. This is another growing area of health tourism - foreign patients seeking dental work arrive in Costa Rica in greater numbers every year. Laboratory work, too, is much cheaper in Costa Rica, and materials used are all FDA-approved and imported from the States.

Where to find out more: Corporación Turismo Salud, S.A. (Health Tourism Corporation), provides complete package services for foreign patients. Supported by the Ministry of Health, Social Security (CCSS), the Association of Doctors and Surgeons, the Association of Dentists and Dental Surgeons, and the Costa Rica Tourist Board, Health Tourism Corporation will arrange all travel and lodging, provide medical coordination and cost comparisons, transportation while in Costa Rica, complete nursing care, and suggest a wide variety of tours and vacation choices.

For more information about the services of Health Tourism Corporation: tel (506) 231-2310, fax (506) 231-6916; or e-mail hlthtour@sol.racsa.co.cr. Information can also be solicited by regular mail: Corporación Turismo Salud, S.A., P.O. Box 1439-1000, San José, Costa Rica.