With the increase in people losing their health insurance, Costa Rica medical tourism is now taking up the slack for more than 25,000 people every year. Mostly Americans, they hop a jet or ocean cruise ship and travel south for Costa Rica. And, increasingly, knowledgeable tourists take vacations to this little Latin American country that include medical tourism. Why? Because they are onto the fact that medical care in Costa Rica is now equal to that of the best hospitals in the States but at a shadow of the cost. It is ironic that the wealthiest 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 probably tens of thousands of hospitals on earth 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, providing assurance that they meet the most rigorous international benchmarks for patient care and hospital standards.
Many countries have not been able to meet the rigorous requirements and standards to have a hospital accredited. But, three Costa Rica hospitals are certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation. Those hospitals are , Cima, and Clinica Biblica, all in or very near to San Jose. Each provides a wide range of medical services and Board Certified physicians.
American health care costs are soaring. Increasingly out of reach for many people, they are threatening not only men, women, and families, but the country itself. American medical care is the most expensive in the world---by a huge margin. And, for the nearly fifty million Americans without health insurance, there is insult added to injury because virtually all hospitals charge uninsured patients much more for services than their neighbors fortunate enough to have good insurance. This is where Costa Rica medical care comes into play. While American politicians dither and the country slides downhill, thousands of suffering American travelers are becoming Costa Rica medical tourists because they want to get great care and save money. Many find savings of up to 65% in Costa Rica for the identical procedures 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 $25,000-$35,000 or more. Clinica Biblica charges about $12,000.
Lasik eye surgery that can run up to $5,000 in the U.S. is often under $2,000. The accredited hospitals of Costa Rica and many board certified physicians---many who have studied and trained in the United States and at other world renowned universities-typically charge about $3,200 for breast augmentation. Increasingly, women wanting aesthetic 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!
Great medical care in Costa Rica does not have to take place in a hospital. There are many, many clinics, too. In addition to the three Joint Commission accredited hospitals, there are three clinics in San Jose 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 dentists or doctors.
Thousands of Costa Rica medical tourists come for dental care. They, too, find great savings. Implants that sometimes cost up to $3,000 in the United States cost $500-$750 in Costa Rica. Periodontal surgery that is at least $2,500 in the U.S. is about $400.
Like everywhere else, prices, of course, vary by provider so get a quote. Clinics in more upscale neighborhoods with lots of Americans may have different unspoken pricing tiers than clinics typically catering to the local population. And, always ask if there is a cash discount if you pay in dollars, not via credit or debit card. One more thing. Many medical and dental insurance companies pay for medical or dental care in Costa Rica so, check with your carrier and Costa Rica service provider before your treatment. - 30516
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 probably tens of thousands of hospitals on earth 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, providing assurance that they meet the most rigorous international benchmarks for patient care and hospital standards.
Many countries have not been able to meet the rigorous requirements and standards to have a hospital accredited. But, three Costa Rica hospitals are certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation. Those hospitals are , Cima, and Clinica Biblica, all in or very near to San Jose. Each provides a wide range of medical services and Board Certified physicians.
American health care costs are soaring. Increasingly out of reach for many people, they are threatening not only men, women, and families, but the country itself. American medical care is the most expensive in the world---by a huge margin. And, for the nearly fifty million Americans without health insurance, there is insult added to injury because virtually all hospitals charge uninsured patients much more for services than their neighbors fortunate enough to have good insurance. This is where Costa Rica medical care comes into play. While American politicians dither and the country slides downhill, thousands of suffering American travelers are becoming Costa Rica medical tourists because they want to get great care and save money. Many find savings of up to 65% in Costa Rica for the identical procedures 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 $25,000-$35,000 or more. Clinica Biblica charges about $12,000.
Lasik eye surgery that can run up to $5,000 in the U.S. is often under $2,000. The accredited hospitals of Costa Rica and many board certified physicians---many who have studied and trained in the United States and at other world renowned universities-typically charge about $3,200 for breast augmentation. Increasingly, women wanting aesthetic 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!
Great medical care in Costa Rica does not have to take place in a hospital. There are many, many clinics, too. In addition to the three Joint Commission accredited hospitals, there are three clinics in San Jose 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 dentists or doctors.
Thousands of Costa Rica medical tourists come for dental care. They, too, find great savings. Implants that sometimes cost up to $3,000 in the United States cost $500-$750 in Costa Rica. Periodontal surgery that is at least $2,500 in the U.S. is about $400.
Like everywhere else, prices, of course, vary by provider so get a quote. Clinics in more upscale neighborhoods with lots of Americans may have different unspoken pricing tiers than clinics typically catering to the local population. And, always ask if there is a cash discount if you pay in dollars, not via credit or debit card. One more thing. Many medical and dental insurance companies pay for medical or dental care in Costa Rica so, check with your carrier and Costa Rica service provider before your treatment. - 30516
About the Author:
Victor Krumm writes about sunny Costa Rica in his informative Costa Rica Vacations site. Check out more Costa Rica Medical Tourism info, too.
