www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last week I needed emergengy surgery for a relatively minor proplem but necessary just the same. I had the proceedure done in San Jose at Clintica Biblica, a large hospital. I was prepared to pay the bill with my credit card but was pleasantly surprised by a lady from the insurance section of the hospital, Tri-Care/Champus is available and they do all the claim forms, you will have to provide a mailing address in Costa Rica for DEERS, and you will need to maintain that address in Deers until the insurance bills are paid to the hospital. They will call Tri-Care for you but you must provide you security information to compleete the address change.
The care is excellent and amazingly fast, from the time the surgeon told me I needed the proceedure until the time they wheeled me into the operating room was 2 1/2 hours

That's good to hear.
One of my biggest concerns about some day retiring in Latin America was what to do about getting my military health benefits.

I sure wish we still had bases in Panama.

Just a addition, the hospital in Costa Rica forwards the bills to Panama, which are then sent on to the US, thus I would imagine the same type set up is available in Panama

Question:

I didn't do 20 years but was granted a SC rating through the VA. Do you guys know anything about medical care or reimbursement for someone like myself? thanks -

Coxslinger

Carepilot,

Thanks for the info. I will make sure that I take my millitary retirement ID card with me.

Have a Great Day,

Dave

Great info thanks!!!

The Tri-Care Coordinator at Clinica Buiblica is>

Christina Duarte
506-221-7717

She is American, speaks fluent Spanish and can answer all Tri Care questions