Costa Rica Medical Tourism: World Class Accredited Hospitals And Exquisite, Affordable Medical Care In Costa Rica
Every year, more than 25,000 people, mostly Americans, hop a jet or ocean cruise ship and travel south for medical care in Costa Rica. And, more and more folks are taking vacations to Costa Rica that include medical tourism. Why? Because they are finding that medical care in Costa Rica is now on par with the best hospitals in the States but at a fraction of the cost.
Ever hear of Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation? It is what the cream of the crop hospitals seek. There are thousands and thousands of hospitals in the world but only the finest hospitals are certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation, meaning that that they meet the most rigorous international benchmarks for hospital standards and patient care. A JCI accredited hospital in Paris, Frankfurt, or Timbuktu is every bit as good as a similarly accredited hospital in L.A..
Many countries have not been able to meet the rigorous requirements and standards to have a hospital accredited. But, three Costa Rica hospitals are accredited by JCI. They are , Cima, and Clinica Biblica, all in or very near to San Jose. Each has a wide range of surgical services and Board Certified doctors.
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 health care is the most expensive in the world—by a long shot. And, for the nearly 50 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 who have good insurance. This is where Costa Rica medical care comes into play. While American politicians dither and the country gets worse off, 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 services they would receive in the United States-if they had the money.
Here is one example that illustrates the point. For patients who do not have health insurance, total knee replacement surgery in the U.S. can cost $25,000-$35,000 or more. 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 in the little Latin America country. 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 medical schools-typically charge about $3,200 for breast enlargement. Increasingly, women seeking plastic surgery are medical tourists. Instead of paying $10,000 for a facelift, they hop 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!
Besides 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.
More than one third of Costa Rica medical tourists come for dental care. They, too, find great savings. Implants costing more than $2,500 in America cost $500-$750 in Costa Rica. Periodontal surgery that is at least $2,500 in the U.S. is about $400. Have a cavity? How about a painless (sounds like an oxymoron) repair using a state of the art laser for $30 or so?
Like any place else in the world prices, of course, vary by provider so compare. 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 getting a procedure.
Victor Krumm writes about sunny Costa Rica in his beautiful Costa Rica Vacations site. Before vacationing, check out Costa Rica Beaches Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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