Medical Care In Costa Rica

Why? Because they have discovered that medical care in Costa Rica is now equal to that of the best hospitals in the United States but at a shadow of the cost.

There is an increasingly threadbare American urban myth that American health care is the best in the world.

Maybe it was true once upon a time. Of course, there are thousands of hospitals in the world that do not measure up to the standards of many American hospitals, but today there are many that do so.

The finest hospitals in the world are today certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation, meaning that that they meet the highest international benchmarks for patient care and hospital standards.

JCI hospital accreditation is the exception, not the rule in the world. Few hospitals in the world can meet the stringent requirements and standards to become accredited.

Internationally Accredited Costa Rica Hospitals

American health care costs are soaring. Increasingly out of reach for many people, they are threatening not only men, women, and families, but the nation itself. American medical care is the costliest in the world---by a huge margin.

And, for the nearly 50 million Americans that have been without health insurance, there is insult added to injury because most care givers and hospitals charge uninsured patients much more for services than folks who have good insurance.

This is where Costa Rica medical care comes into play. While the United States provision of health care to citizens slides downhill, thousands of suffering American travelers are becoming Costa Rica medical tourists because they want to get great care and save money. Many save up to 65% on Costa Rica cosmetic surgery for the identical procedures they would receive in the United States---if they could afford it.

And the savings don't stop there.

Here is an example of the difference in costs. For patients without medical insurance, total knee replacement surgery in the U.S. can cost more than $25,000. Clinica Biblica charges about $12,000.

The three Costa Rica accredited medical hospitals and board certified physicians---many who have studied and trained in the United States and at other world renowned medical schools-typically charge about $3,200 for breast augmentation. Other Costa Rica plastic surgery procedures are similarly well below American or European prices.

Lasik eye surgery that can run up to $5,000 in the U.S. is often under $2,000.

And, increasingly, women seeking plastic surgery are medical tourists. Instead of getting a facelift for $10,000, they hop a plane for Costa Rica plastic surgery costing about $3,000 or so, they can have the same procedure as back home while recuperating in a tropical paradise on a Costa Rica vacation. Then, as an added bonus, they go home with money in their pocket.

Accredited Medical and Dental Clinics

There are many impressive clinics, too, in Costa Rica.

In addition to the three JCI accredited hospitals, there are three clinics in San Jose accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Facilities.

They are UNIBE (Universidad de Iberoamerica) which offers ambulatory and surgical care; a dental clinic called Sonrise Por Todo (Smiles for Everybody); and Pino Plastic Surgery Clinic, a Costa Rica cosmetic surgery center.

Like the hospitals, these clinics have board certified dentists or doctors.

About a third of Costa Rica medical tourists come for dental surgery or implants. They, too, find great savings. Implants costing more than $2,500 in the United States cost $500-$750 in Costa Rica. Periodontal surgery costing $2,500 in the U.S. is about $400.

Like any place else in the world prices, of course, vary by provider so get a quote. And, always ask if there is a discount for payment by cash rather than credit card.

One more thing. Many health insurers cover dental or medical care in Costa Rica so, check with your carrier and Costa Rica service provider before your medical care in Costa Rica.

UPDATE: New CIMA Hospital In Guanacaste

Known as Pacific Plaza, it will be an integrated Costa Rica medical care facility and residential complex near Daniel Oduber International Airport that will include a new hospital with heliport, three story medical office complex, pharmacy, commercial space, and a food court, all scheduled to open 2011.

Subsequently, the plans for greater tourist medical care in Costa Rica call for condominiums, adult housing facilities that will include facilities for Alzeimer's patients, a hotel, and recreational center.

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