Advice re health insurance

there may be newer options but this is how we understand it from our research.  Everybody who is a resident can/must join CAJA which is costs around $50 a month or less and covers everything.  the downside is you can have long waits or - in my case - diabetes management that isn't up to my needs.  You can also buy private insurance but it won't cover pre-existing conditions. So if you have special needs, as I do, you may still need other insurance which I will retain from my employer when I retire.  I have heard these options may changed as the laws for insurance change in CR so if anybody knows an update, I'd love to hear it too.

Thank you so much for your reply; it was helpful. For extra needs, as I have also, does it pretty much come out of your pocket if you don't have an employer?

I am cover under CAJA through my husband. Last month I needed medical attention, so I went to the CAJA hospital. It was the worse experience of my life. It was dirty, humiliating, and they botched the procedure resulting in me having to go to a private hospital to have it redone. I will NEVER use CAJA again. We will always pay for private. You are required to pay for CAJA, and it is fine for perscriptions, but do not have anything else done there. Trust me.

Thank you so much for your reply. It's always good to get lots of information, even bad info, so I can be really informed. I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me all that. Some people rave about the health insurance in CR, and I want to hear all sides.

The private care here is wonderful. Not as much as the US, but it is not cheap either. I would bet all of people you hear rave about the health care are talking about private practices and private care is quite lovely. You can get private insurance here too and it is very reasonable. We had a Tico worker dislocate his shoulder and he went to the CAJA. After 12 hours, he called and begged for us to get him out. I am pretty tough, but not as tough as this guy, and he was in tears when we got him.

Oh, that's terrible about him in tears. Can people with pre-existing conditions get private health care and is it affordable? I have heard so many different things and it seems things keep changing.

INS is the only one in CR and I am unsure on pre-exisiting conditions. You would have to call directly and find out. There may be world-wide carriers that would cover CR too, but I don't know who. Good luck!

Thanks.
I'm going to have to figure all this out if I am moving to Costa Rica. I have read that medications are cheaper, but until I see it I don't want to feel sure of it. I don't want to move to CR and then have a huge medical bill. I think I can cover medical visits, but I do take some meds that I would love to know the cost of. Anyway it has been nice chatting with you and you have been helpful.
Siri

I'm sorry to hear the bad CAJA stories but I have a friend who has had nothing but good experiences so it may depend on where you are.  Her name is Gloria and you can find her info at www.retireforlessincostarica.com

INS does not cover pre-existing conditions; that's why I will keep my Blue Cross and use it out of network for my diabetes needs.  I've compared the costs of insulin and they are considerably lower in CR.  What I strongly recommend is making some online friends and posting queries as you're doing now.  I've made a lot of contacts over the past few years as we prepare for our move.

don't overlook www.arcr.net and www.actionalliancecr.com to get you started.

Thanks! I have been making as many contacts as I can and welcome more! I am finding that as you said, people have different experiences. I have Medicare, which will not help in Costa Rica. So I think my only option is Caja plus out of pocket? And Caja, although sometimes not optimal, does pay for medication?

I have seen the link of your friend Gloria. I did once email her by accident, thinking she was someone else, and she was nice enough to correct me. Does she welcome questions, or is she too busy?

I will be coming to CR for a visit, probably in March. I'm hoping to meet more people and get as much direct info as possible.
Again, thank you for responding and I welcome any contacts that can be helpful.
Siri

By all means, email Gloria.  She's busy but it's Costa Rica busy so she'll probably squeeze you in.  I don't know what your plans are for your March visit but Gloria and her hubby, Paul, do tours too.  What part of CR are you headed too?  Is it your first visit or you've been before?

No, I have never been to Costa Rica before, so I really want to check it out because I very much would like to relocate outside the US.
I can't take the heat and humidity any more, so living by the ocean is out; I think anywhere in or around the Central Valley, preferably where it is warmer and sunnier and where rent is less expensive, would be where I would be interested in visiting. I would also like to just relax and enjoy myself; I have not been on a real vacation in a long time.
Thanks!
Siri

do you want some recommendations or information?  We've been twice and been lots of places that we loved.  Tell me what you've planned so far and I'll tell you what we know.  We've been some really great places that we really loved.