Costa Rica
Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
When we asked members in Costa Rica if they typically need to travel to see specialists, they replied...
"Expats generally seek private medical attention when they need specialists to deal with emergencies. If I had to treat a serious health problem, I would return to my country, since the system there seems more reliable," remarked another expat who made the move to Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
"If you go private (and either pay through insurance or out of pocket), specialists are easy. They're everywhere and fast, friendly appointments are normal. If you're in the public system, specialists are often where the system breaks down the most. Everybody is assigned to a local clinic, and these are fine, but most local clinics don't have specialists. To see a specialist you're sent elsewhere, and this can take multiple visits simply to make an appointment (you actually need appointments to make appointments) and then when you finally get an appointment, it can be up to a year later. I've also had the clerk lose my file and tell me I needed to start all over again, although in fairness I once saw a specialist on the same day I was sent. Anyway, seeing specialists is often the weakest link in the public health system chain, and many locals just pay private at this point. But sometimes seeing a specialist in the public system is easy. It's a crap shoot," explained one expat living in San José, Costa Rica.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica?
- How do I meet people in Costa Rica?
- What is life like in Costa Rica?
- Is there a lot of crime in Costa Rica?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Costa Rica accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Costa Rica like?
- Is the cost of living in Costa Rica high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Costa Rica?
- What are healthcare services like in Costa Rica?
- Is the cost of living in Costa Rica high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Costa Rica?
- What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
- Are there good restaurants in Costa Rica?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Costa Rica?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Costa Rica?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Costa Rica?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Costa Rica?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Costa Rica?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
