Health Insurance in Costa Rica, America

Information expatriation

Capital City: San José
Total area: 51,100 km2
Population: 4,468,000
Money: Currency Converter
Time Zone: List of time zones by country
Calling Code: +506 XXX

Practical Information:

Wikipedia Costa Rica

Health Product: Travel Insurance and Health insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG : Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Universal healthcare is provided through the public Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). It covers over 85% of the population.

·      The system is funded by mandatory payroll taxes paid by workers, pensioners and employers. It operates on a mostly not-for-profit basis.

·      Primary care is provided through clinics and health posts located around the country. These offer basic preventative and outpatient services.

·      Larger hospitals in provincial centers provide specialists, advanced diagnostics and complex procedures.

·      Six specialty hospitals at the national level handle the highest level cases like organ transplants.

·      Quality of care is generally good by regional standards but demand has strained capacity in some areas.

·      Around 15% have supplemental private insurance for services not covered under universal care.

·      Costa Rica has relatively high health outcomes despite having only around 5% of central America's population.

·      Challenges include rising costs, physician shortages and maintaining coverage as more retire to the country.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Insurance - Joining the public CCSS plan requires temporary/permanent residency. Maintain supplemental international coverage as a non-resident.

·      Registration - Obtain proper visa/work status, which may impact eligibility for public insurance and subsidized rates.

·      Rural access - Quality varies away from major cities. Research facilities/doctors near your location.

·      Medications - Familiarize yourself with CCSS drug formulary and any costs for non-covered items.

·      Vaccinations - Ensure routine immunizations are up to date. Consider others like hepatitis A, depending on travel within Costa Rica.

·      Water safety - Tap water is generally safe but bottled water recommended, especially in rural areas.

·      Road safety - Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injuries. Exercise caution due roads/driving habits.

·      Medical tourism - Top facilities attract patients, important to verify policies/costs are understood fully first.

·      Languages - While Spanish is widely spoken, planning and emergency communications may be easier in your language.