Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Healthcare
Insurance
Most foreigners and retirees opt for the medical insurance offered by the government's insurance company the National Insurance Institute or INS. Everyone is eligible to apply, including permanent residents, pensionados and even tourists. Elderly people have to submit to a physical before they can be insured. The medical policy covers expenses resulting from illness, accidents, hospitalization, office visits, lab work, medicines and medical costs in foreign countries. However, if you incur medical expenses abroad, INS will pay only the amount equivalent to the same treatment in Costa Rica and you have to pay the difference.
When you purchase a policy, INS will supply you with an identification card and a booklet that lists the names of affiliated groups such as hospitals, doctors, labs and pharmacies. Most surgical procedures are covered 100 percent. You pay a small deductible for office visits, labs, medicines and treatments. If you seek medical services not affiliated with INS, you have to pay up front. You then submit a claim to INS and will be reimbursed in a few weeks.
Depending on age and sex, the annual cost of this insurance is about $800 for a man 50 to 69. For example, rates for a man 18-39 year s old run about $250 per year; $1,800 for a 70-year old man ; and women of all ages pay an average annual rate of about $1,500. Women of childbearing age pay slightly more than men. There is a discount if more than one person is insured on the same policy. It is easy to enroll an entire family for a low monthly rate. If you belong to a group of 15 or more people such as the Association of Residents (ARCR) or the American Legion you can obtain an approximately a five percent discount.
There is a ceiling of around $17,000 per individual. Since medical costs are so low in Costa Rica, this policy is more than enough to take care of your medical needs. Retirees and other residents need not worry about lacking adequate medical coverage in Costa Rica. For information, go to the ARCR or contact them at: (Tel: 233-8068, Fax: 011-(506) 222-7862) or see http://www.arcr.net. You can reach the National Insurance Institute at 223-5800.
INS now offers a new international insurance policy that covers your needs in Costa Rica and the rest of the world. This new medical policy covers medical expenses resulting from accident or sickness. Here are some of the items covered: hospitalization and ambulance expenses, maternity, prosthesis, organ transplants, air evacuation, repatriation of remains, funeral costs and a yearly check-up and eye test. The rates are high but the coverage is very complete.
