We had been in the country for a few months and had not really addressed the burning question of health insurance. There was so much advice from expats who had gone before us and we knew that once we were official residents of Costa Rica we would be eligible (and required) to participate in the official healthcare system the government provides to its citizens and residents; even temporary residents like us. Not only that, there was also a private system which we could buy into that would provide the North American type of healthcare with which we were familiar; cover anything, at any time, regardless.
We had met expats who were
perfectly happy with the government system of healthcare and we had met those
who were not happy with the government plan. One couple from the States had been in Costa Rica for more
than ten years. I am sure they were hippies in the sixties though we didn’t
confirm that. They bought a house after living for a few years in a rental
property and set about remodeling the home to suit their needs. They were happy
to use the government system and raved about the great care they had received
and its low cost.
We met another couple from the
States the same day who had also been in the country about the same amount of
time. They had a vile opinion about the “socialized medicine” Costa Rica was
offering and even though it was required that they pay into that system, they said they never used it preferring supplemental, private insurance so they would be able to have
the kind of healthcare they were used to in the States.
Neither couple mentioned any
special needs; they were just two couples with two choices and two diametrically different opinions.
We found another option called
MediSmart. It is kind of a “healthcare club.”
You pay a fee which guarantees healthcare from highly qualified doctors
at a discounted rate. Need bypass surgery? They provide it at a discount.
Orthopedics, oncology, gynecology, pharmacy, lab work, a network of doctors and
hospitals throughout the country. even veterinary medicine. Our cost—$162.71 per
year!
Then we made a call to an
insurance agent who advertises policies from several global providers. We
bought our auto coverage through him, even though we also carried the mandatory
coverage required through the National Insurance Agency.
Dallas was happy with the
coverage he offered her from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. They were our provider for
years so we thought our experience with BC/BS might be advantageous. The agent
also quoted a policy for me but since I was over sixty-five, I would be subject
to pre-conditions and would need a "simple" health check. No problem, I thought.
We scheduled the check-up for the following week.
I expected a checkup like the one
given by my doctor when I turned sixty-five. BP, blood work, check box, easy-peasy.
Boy was I wrong. I was seen by a
urologist, a cardiologist, a neurologist, and a GP. I was stuck, prodded, poked, and stressed for
much of the day. The result? Sure, they would cover me—with exclusions for everything
for which I had been treated in the past! All for the full premium price—no discounts.
Thanks, but no thanks!
I rejected the coverage that was offered to
me in favor of the one year out of country coverage my church pension plan provided
and the MediSmart plan we purchased.
Once our application for
residency is approved, we will both be eligible for the “socialized medicine”
the government offers. When that rolls around, we will have a new episode to
report. Until them we feel well protected by plans which we can afford.
You may be wondering about Medicare. Dallas does not yet qualify but I continue to pay into Medicare on a monthly basis even though I cannot receive any
benefits unless those benefits are rendered Stateside. If I have a serious condition,
I will be transported to the States for treatment if none is available in Costa Rice. I
am counting on the fact that our life here is medically better than our life at
home and we each will reap the benefits of clean pura vida living until
the time comes for serious medical issues.
This may not have been your choice but we are both reasonably comfortable with our choices for the time being. Once Covid is in our memories and our residency in Costa Rica is established qualifying us for the Costa Rican form of "socialized medicine" our life will be better covered than it is now, but for the time-being we are fine.
In the meantime, we'll "take two aspirin."
