Complex, but stable medical problems.

Josefbh New member

9POSTS

7 years ago

I am Josef, 55, living in Boston hoping to retire later this year and have had my eye on Costa Rica for some time now. I am not married and do not have children which I hope should allow me to live somewhat simply there. I hope to find a place somewhere in the Central Valley around Atenas, but not fixated on that area. I need to be relatively close to medical access as I have unfortunately run into some problems over the past few years, though all is well under control at this time. Any information you have regarding insurance (I know about Caja) especially insurance to use the private hospitals such as Catolica. I need to keep an eye on coronary artery disease, check ups for cancer, dermatology for a run in recently with some basal cell carcinomas and kidney stones. Fun, fun line up, but all under control right now. Worse comes to worse I may set up legal residence in Houston or San Antonio and maintain insurance there while living abroad so I might just mostly need check ups. If you have any of the above problems and experience with the system, please let me know.

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kohlerias ViP

1572POSTS

7 years ago

From what I understand, most of the health insurance companies here, do not cover pre-existing conditions.

Relying on CAJA, wouldn't be the best idea, as one can wait for many months to see a specialist.

pebs Serial expat

349POSTS

7 years ago

Hi Jose
In our area Heredia (Beautiful area and Views etc
we have聽 a GREAT modern hospital in Heredia..and in our village a specialist聽 female dr Francini (now friend ) is awesome and charges a mere $30聽 for a full exam (prices were just raised for $25 because they have now computerized billing )聽 and there is a lab also where you can get results immediately prices for labs depend on what you are聽 having tested , but I highly recommend Dra Francini as a private doctor.I think if you check out our area,聽 which is rarely mentioned in this site .because we are nit a "Gringo Gulch" LOL Thank God... a few ex pats here but still not . a "gulch..
I would suggest you keep your Insurance until you feel, as I do. "Comfortable"聽 with medical here,
Even though they moan and groan聽 here about CAJAs long waits... we here must be special because I JUST had FREE Cataract Surgery on one eye,,with Caja specialist. I waited ONE MONTH ..SURE IS A LONG TIME FOR SURGERY THAT COSTS APPROX $10,000 IN USA I CHECKED ON LINE.. SORRY FOR CAPS聽 I SHOULD NOT聽 YET BE ON MY COMPUTER BECAUSE MY SURGERY WAS ONLY聽 ONE WEEK AGO.. still recuperating LOL... takes a month.. i will try to be good and stay OFF it ,,hard to do

IF you PM me YOU CAN get my email.. and when you come down you can pick my brain,聽 and if not busy I will gladly drive show you OUR gorgeous areas聽 in which I have lived over 30 years..
I have had several major surgeries here聽 with CAJA I had聽 Cancer surgery and treatment in caja in 1998 ,,and聽 Cancer free going back 21 years
so how can I knock Caja? which costs me 23.000 colones per month about $46...check out this lovely area I can help you find accommodation for around $500 mnthly Good Luck and OM me for my address online