www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Health Insurance

I have gone thru about $100,000 in health insurance in the last two years here. Auto accidents, heart irregularities, heart blockages, fall down my stairs, unexplained this and that....
What do you guys do in Costa Rica?

These emergency rooms visits cost a lot and without insurance I would be broke. Fortunately my insurance in the USA is fully paid for as part of my retirement.

I am afraid to travel without it.

Ace

_________________
PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

It all depends on what your policy says. If it is an HMO you will only be eleigible for coverage if you have an emergency.

This is an issue that every one of us needs to address seriously. In 2006, I had a heart attack in CR. I was seen first at the hospital in Alejuela. They did little for me and I was in severe pain most of the day. Then the doctor came and said I needed an Angioplasty and that they could not do it there. They said that I needed to go to a private hospital and suggested Hospital Sima in Escazu. They said that the hospital would need $5000 up front to admit me. A credit card was acceptable and off I went in an ambulance. I got excellant care at Sima, but they would not accept my insurance card. I posted another $10,000 on discharge. What I learned later was that if you are entitled to VA care and enrolled with them, no problem, they will pay and a vets service officer has an office in the lobby. Think about it now guys, not after you are mugged, shot, poisoned, get in a taxi wreck or have a slammer. My insurance DID reimburse me when I presented my paid receipts.

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I'm not their Permanent Pimp but a benefit that ARCR offers to all members I believe is group health insurance. Check with them for details. If you're in the Postal Service or maybe also in the Federal Civil Service up to 80% of U. S. fees for service will be paid depending on your Plan. That's excellent info about the Veteran's Service Office--does it have to be a service-connected problem or any problem an Honorably Discharged veteran may encounter?

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

what i do is buy a supplemente for travel,, as long as you have health insurance in the USA you can get it separate for each trip or annual with reduced limits, length of stay in any one place out of the country is 70 days, it also provides for evactuation back to US ,, HTH health ....http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/index.cfm

At one point both Hospital CIMA and Clinica Biblica accepted Tri-Care which covered retired military. I believe they also accepted the coverage that service connected disability covered. However they now want you to pay and then get reimbursed. This was supposedly caused by the slow pay and amount of paperwork that was required for them to get payed.

There never was a program that covered those that were enrolled in the VA but were not either retired or covered by a service connected disability.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Does anyone have any information as to whether or not the opening up of the insurance sector under CAFTA is likely to have any effect on CIMA and Clinica Biblica accepting U.S. health insurance policies without a major cash deposit?

It would sure be nice if it did (although it's probably wishful thinking). I just got back from a trip to the U.S. to get some surgery done and the return trip, with a still healing incision, was a real bitch.

_________________
It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner

If I understood Gringo Malo correctly, that is good news about VA insurance being honored at CIMA. I wonder if that is true about Clinica Biblica. I saw a specialist at CB last year for a 3rd opinion prior to my cardiac surgery. Clinica Biblica did not accept my insurance plan, but after speaking with the insurance rep, I found out a number of American plans are accepted if there is a "portability clause" in the policy. BTW, the total cost for an EKG, lab work and examination by the cardiologist at CB cost me $60 total.

Good topic for continued discussion. Looking forward to more input from those with health care / health insurance experience in CR.

_________________
Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

The only government programs accepted by CIMA or Biblica is Tri Care that is available to retired service personnel and some federal retired employees. Enrollment in the VA or medicare does not entitle you to any benefits in Costa Rica.

Clinica Santa Maria, in the old Cruz Roja building C14 A8, offers discounted prices to non retired veterans. They have a service officer (Jim Young) on premise.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

For VA care, you need to apply with the VA in advance. You will be given a classification based on when you served and where. Obviously combat related and purple heart awardees get top priority. The VA has been getting pretty good federal budget money based on the new found love and respect for Vets. (Yes even us Vietnam guys are now loved). You can apply in advance thru your County Veterans Service Officer or see your Vets Service Association - Service Officer for help. The care is surprisingly good. Also with so many losing their jobs...it is an alternative to expensive Cobra programs.

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

Most important is to HAVE A PLAN BEFORE YOU NEED CARE>

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I have been enrolled in the VA program for the last ten years and used their services before I moved to Costa Rica. There is no question that their care has become top flight and is superior to many private hospitals. Everything is computerized so if your normal service is provided in Miami and you need emergency care in Vegas your complete history is available to the Doctor instantly.

All that begs the question being discussed here however. Your VA coverage gets you no care in CR other than for the limited coverage of a condition directly related to a service connected disability.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Thanks, for clarifying the portability of the VA program in CR. The County Veterans Service Office has sent me reminders to join...I just haven't taken the time. I heard from other vets, too, that the service is quite good.

_________________
Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

On my last 3-monther to Rio, I got a travel policy for about $120. That would have included evacuation. But the travel plan, or my HMO plan for that matter, only reimburses. That means you need some hefty bucks up front. Also, the doctor decides if transfer to the States is necessary, then the evacuation portion kicks in. This is a potential nightmare and one everyone should take seriously. What I would always want is to be stabilized, then transported to the hospital of my choice in the States. But that is far from certain as it turns out.

Everyone worries about the crime potential. My guess is if you're over 45, health factors pose a more ominous threat.

_________________
"Don't never trust a woman, till she's dead and deep....One day she'll say she loves you, next day she'll throw you on the street."

"...and if men didn't have this unquenchable desire to have sex with women, then they wouldn't have anything to do with women at all. I certainly wouldn't..."

This is a priority topic we all need to think about and prepare for. Lots of good info given but I am wondering what would happen if we, or say Gringo Malo had not had the $5000 up front available on his visa card or had not had the 10k to get out of the hospital,,, would they just let us croak without helping??? I know lots of gringos in CR who dont appear to have mucho dinero, in fact I know several who only live on SS. They must have some policy for the poor gringos/tourists,,, hopefully. Anybody know? JD