The level of medicine in Costa Rica
The level of medicine in Costa Rica is considered one of the best. This proves the quality of medical services not only in Latin America, but also in the world. Someone may argue with this, but on the other hand, in which country is ideological medicine? Costa Rica is renowned for its clinics delivering high quality medical services comparable to the American JCI standards.
It should be noted that the cost of medical services is significantly lower than the cost of similar American procedures. Costa Rica is a favorite destination for American medical tourism, with plastic surgery and dental procedures in particular demand.
The country’s medical system
Both public and private clinics are widespread in the country, which gives citizens a choice. Clinics are provided with modern equipment, all the necessary medicines and highly qualified specialists.
Health care services in Costa Rica are provided on the basis of publicly available compulsory health insurance. Standard health insurance costs a Costa Rican about $ 45-60 a month. This insurance contains all the necessary medical services, including:
- contacting a doctor
- passage of narrow specialists
- the need for outpatient or inpatient treatment
If you go to a public hospital, you may have to wait a long time for the right specialist. Service in state medical institutions sometimes also leaves much to be desired, because many Costa Ricans provide themselves with additional health insurance in private medical institutions (paid medicine in Costa Rica is based on American standards). While not necessary, private one-time visits with a possible home visit to the doctor are common in Costa Rica.
About clinics Costa Rica
If you need to go to a clinic, La Catolica is the best private healthcare facility in the country. It is a multidisciplinary hospital located in the heart of the capital city of San Jose. Clinic La Catolica is known for its high level of medical services. There are many departments here, as well as a day hospital and a polyclinic.
Clinica Biblica is known for its quality services, which is also JCI accredited like La Catolica. It employs specialists who provide services in 40 areas of medicine.
Statistics
According to data obtained in 1995, there were 1,428 primary care outpatient clinics in the country, remote areas had access to mobile medical and dental centers. The social security system had 112 polyclinics and 29 hospitals at its disposal, including specialized institutions of the obstetric, pediatric, psychiatric and geriatric types. Life expectancy in 1997 was 72 years.
To date, all of the above indicators have slightly increased, in some areas more than doubled.
Additional information for foreigners
First or urgent medical aid is provided free of charge; further treatment requires payment in cash, by credit card or an insurance policy.
In Costa Rica, the risk of contracting a tropical disease is significantly lower than in other countries with a similar climate. This is facilitated by an excellent health care system that controls epidemiological and other diseases.
