www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hmmm, Fastracked in a few hours for $4K.

Poderoso caballero es Don Dinero.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

Nah....didn't cost me one thin dime; was put to the front "of the line"...but I got cogent in my head and figured out that Costa Rica was going down the shit hole faster than white on rice. Man....was I so brilliant. I hope all those who are trying to convince themselves they made the "correct decision" some time back aren't choking too hard on their words and are ready to DUMP whatever they done got to get the hell out of that ever so transparent if you look hard enough country. I "MIGHT" buy land and abode pennies to the dollar at this point....and that's a VERY LARGE MIGHT....

It's a GREAT place to visit and "chill" for a bit.....but the attitude is quite clear: "WE want your money....WE do not want YOU." (and I'm not referring to the Tico on the street....I'm referring to the ruling Junta and the way things BEEEES).

boquete panama. think about it. what's boquete in Portuguese? Still....more and more....the good ole US of A is probably the best place of all.

Affiant further sayeth naught.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Years ago I looked into residency and decided its not really necessary if you travel 4 times out of the country anyway, upside vs downside doesnt pan out unless you want to work there, but salaries are not to high even at HP etc. Now Im glad I didnt since I dont go to CR much anymore, the entire attitude of the people has shifted from what it once was, I sense more resentment from the ticos, not long ago they were just another banana republic with most people having dirt floors... they have come along way thanks to foreign investment. The expats are just fine they are cool whatever there are always grifters in tourist locales like the gulch thats just life.
I have bought this travel plan it was 4 bucks a day or 200 a year:
http://www.medexassist.com/Individuals/ ... broad.aspx

A comprehensive package of short term medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and worldwide 24-hour medical assistance for Americans traveling outside of the U.S.


* $100,000 Emergency Medical Expense Benefit
* Physicians' fees and hospital expenses
* Emergency medical evacuation
* Special trip expenses for accompanying travelers, 18 years of age and younger, to home residence
* Special trip expenses for bringing a companion to your side
* MEDEX Worldwide Travel Assistance Services (additional detail)


TravMed Abroad Rates

You pay only $4.00/day ($5.75/day for ages 71-80 or $8.00/day for ages 81-85) and a $25 deductible per illness or injury. A 7-day minimum trip length and 90-day maximum trip length apply.

Annual Frequent Traveler program available for $200/year ($250/year for ages 71-80).

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
Post of da phuckin anos The Horror, The Horror.
Regards, 911 Driver
Gotta meet da Gringo

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

I have used Blue Cross HMO at Clinica Biblica but Blue Cross would only pay for an emergency.

My understanding is that Medicare is not paid outside the US or its territories. Admittedly I don't know much about Medicare.

Depends on your Blue Cross policy. I have BC/BS from my job and it will pay for non-emergencies outside of the US on a pre-approved basis. They will pay out of network rates. Clinica Biblica has an International Insurance office for coordinating with insurance companies. With BC/BS if you are pre-approved with Clinica Biblica, they will bill your insurance directly. No need to pay first and plead for reembursement later. My policy shows that Clinica Biblica and CIMA are both approved by BC/BS.

Medicare won't pay a dime for care in CR. For those living in CR it can be a fall-back for serious illness that you would die waiting for CAJA to treat or cost you a fortune out of pocket. But you have to return to the US for care.

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

I have Caja and I'm reasonably satisfied with it. I pay around $550 a YEAR, and get all my medications free and all services free, they don't have a cashier anywhere in the clinics or hospitals. There are long waits for some tests and procedures, but you can always pay out of pocket and go to Biblica or CIMA if you feel it's urgent. If you have paid-for US insurance then I'd ask THEM what they cover, but I have no intention of paying for Medicare and living here, totally unnecessary, in my opinion.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

I have many close tico friends (of upper class) that recommend public caja hospitals for major procedures. And, the private for simple stuff like broken bones and stitches.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

To answer the original question, I joined the ARCR (resident's assn.) when I moved here. I used their lawyers to get residency. At some point I bought a health ins. policy from INS which now runs me about $1900 a year, it pays roughly 90% of care and meds here. At the ARCR they have an INS agent who takes care of claims very efficiently. Under the new residency law, to keep your residency, the govt. requires your purchase of CAJA insurance. At ARCR I pay 3 or 6 months at a time, now $49 a month (rate for any member of ARCR) and I expect no problems when my cedula is up for renewal. BTW, the INS policy's rate depends on age. For extra $$ one could purchase a policy from INS that was good in the states or other high doolar medical care areas. The one I have is good in central America and Mexico. SO i"m stuck with the Caja but keep and use the INS policy.

Brother Steven1 is waxing poetic here methinks but...it works. Nevermind he meant "abide".

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"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

Wow, haven't been here since I got married to a tica. Anyway, to help out with the question:

The law changed recently about getting insurance from the CAJA where you no longer have to be a resident to get it and anyone is allowed to have it. This was mostly done because many people were employing illegals from Nicaragua to work as maids and such who ended up suing their employers.

You can read more about getting healthcare, at, http://www.a1costaricaproperties.com/costa-rica-news-and-articles/23-healthcare-in-costa-rica-for-expats

hope that helps

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First I have heard about that. Can you quote a source that can confirm that?

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