Medical Care In Costa Rica: World Class Accredited Hospitals And Care

December 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment

With the increase in health insurance companies denying coverage and folks being uninsured, Costa Rica medical tourism is now taking up the slack for more than 25,000 people annually. Mostly Americans, they hop a jet or cruise ship and travel south for Costa Rica. And, more and more travelers are taking vacations to Costa Rica that include medical tourism. Why? Because they have found that medical care in Costa Rica is now equal to that of the best hospitals in the U.S. but at a fraction of the cost. It is ironic that the richest country the world has ever seen is essentially outsourcing medical care of its citizens.

There is an increasingly threadbare American urban myth that American health care is the best in the world. Perhaps that was once so. Of course, there are thousands of hospitals on this planet that do not measure up to the standards of many American hospitals, but today there are many that do so. The top hospitals in the world are today certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation, meaning that that they meet the highest international benchmarks for hospital standards and patient care.

Three Costa Rica hospitals are accredited by JCI. Those hospitals are La Clinica Biblica, Cima, and La Catolica, all in or very near to San Jose. Each provides a wide range of medical services and Board Certified doctors.

It is well known that American health care is the costliest in the world—by a very large margin. And, for the nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance, there is insult added to injury because many health care providers and hospitals charge uninsured patients much more for services than folks who have good insurance. This is where Costa Rica medical care comes in for thousands of suffering American tourists. Why? Because they can save up to 65% in Costa Rica for the identical treatment they would receive in the United States-if they could afford it.

Here is an example of the difference in costs. For patients who do not have health insurance, total knee replacement surgery in the U.S. can cost more than $25,000. That same surgery at Clinica Biblica is less than $12,000.

Lasik eye surgery that can run up to $5,000 in the States is often under $2,000. The accredited hospitals of Costa Rica and many board certified doctors—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. Increasingly, women seeking plastic surgery are medical tourists. Instead of getting a facelift for $10,000, they pack their bikini, shorts and sun tan lotion and board a plane for Costa Rica where for 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. And remember the rule of Costa Rica: what happens here stays here!

Top drawer medical care in Costa Rica does not have to take place in a hospital. There are many, many clinics, too. Besides the three JCI accredited hospitals, there are three San Jose clinics accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Facilities. They are the University of Iberoamerica(UNIBE) which offers ambulatory and surgical care; Sonrisa Por Todo (Smiles for Everybody) providing dental care; and Pino Plastic Surgery Clinic. Like the hospitals, these clinics have board certified physicians or dentists.

Cosmetic surgery accounts for about-% of all Costa Rica medical tourism and about a third of all Costa Rica medical tourists come for affordable but top quality dental care. Dental implants costing more than $2,500 in America 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 costs, of course, vary by provider so get a quote. And, always inquire if there is a discount for payment by cash rather than credit card. Finally, consider this. Many health insurers cover dental or medical care in Costa Rica so, make it a point to contact your carrier and Costa Rica service provider before your treatment.

Victor Krumm writes from romantic Costa Rica in his very popular Costa Rica Vacations site. Before traveling, plan for your Costa Rica Nightlife This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.

categories: costa rica medical tourism,costa rica vacations,medical care in Costa Rica,costa rica plastic surgery,medical tourism,plastic surgery,dental surgery,costa rica,travel,vacations,tourism,destination

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Medical Care In Costa Rica: World Class Accredited Hospitals And Care

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