www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Thanks for the heads up on the VA. Also a good reminder to call my primary to check on my coverage overseas.

The health insurance plan that I have from my job is administered by Blue Cross. It just so happens that Clinica Biblica is approved under this plan! They also recognize hospitals in several other countries too. Could they be encouraging medical tourism? I'm just glad that I could find medical attention in C.R. if needed!

_________________
Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

As happens with many threads, this one has become somewhat of a debate about who will or won't cover what and where. The important point is EVERYONE OF US should plan for medical care AS CAREFULLY as we shop for plane tickets, select lodging and interview chicas. PLEASE don't take my or anyone elses word for anything medical. Satisfy yourself that you will receive care, if you need it. As with other issues, CR is not the US and you might not be eligible for anything. As "The Great One" - Mark Lavine would say....Thank Me.

_________________
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!!!!"

My daughter is a military nurse and is assigned to a military hospitals share staff and facilities with the VA. She advised me that in most cases a hospital, including military and VA hospitals, must be certified in order for the hospital to be eligible to receive federal funding for VA and military patients.

The accreditation is through the Joint Commission or one of the other accreditation bodies in the US. International hospitals must be certified by the Joint Commission International. I many have misunderstood what she explained to me but I think that is what she said.

Hospital Cima is either in the accreditation process or was just accredited; Clinica Catholica is in the process but I was told Clinica Biblica is not in the process.

When I first consulted with the cardiologist at Clinica Biblica, my wingman, an MD, accompanied me. He asked the cardiologist if the hospital was JCAHO-certified. (JCAHO is the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.) The cardiologist replied that it is.

_________________
Blue Devil

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

That is the one - Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. I was told Biblica wasn't accredited but your experience is much more relevant than the information I got from some guy that was telling me about it. It is good to know they are accrediated. One of my son's was born there and back then it was considered THE best hosptial in the nation.

My understanding is that both Biblica and CIMA have been accredited and Catholica is going trough the process.

While accreditation might be required for VA certification it does not make the hospital eligible for reimbursement for providing care to VA patients.

I was talking to the Commander of one of the local American Legion posts and he confirmed that CIMA no longer accepts Tri-care. He did point out that some of the Doctors who practice at CIMA still accept Tri-care for their services but you have to pay CIMA for their part.

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

All that is good reason to stay healthy.

Just got my annual lube and oil change (complete physical) and happy to report that (knock on wood) all is healthy -- a little slower and sometimes in need of medical stimulation - but still working. Maybe not bang, bang, banging, but thank God, still working.

The director of the insurance department at Biblica is a Gringo – Tico, e.g., American parents, raised in Costa Rica, speaks English fluently.