International Health Insurance

[CAROL BERMAN]

I checked out private insurance in CR and determined that it is not an option for me. It does not cover any pre-existing conditions – forever. Since I am diabetic and have early stages of other chronic conditions, anything associated with these conditions will never be covered, no matter how well they are controlled today.

Health care is one of the areas I was really looking to save money by moving to CR. I am starting to look at some of the international insurance companies. It looks like I should be able to get full (Platinum) coverage for about half of what I am currently paying. Do you know of others who use this insurance option and if they are happy with this coverage?

Today, my biggest expenses (>$1000/month) are for my insulin and other brand-name drugs (currently paid for by my insurance). Is there any way to find out if these drugs would be covered under CR national health care? If they aren’t covered, you can get coverage from the national insurance companies for drugs that are prescribed by a doctor. Can you get prescriptions for drugs that are sold without prescriptions in CR pharmacies.

I appreciate any help.

[JASON HOLLAND]

Hi Carol,

Yes, many expats do have international insurance. It is widely accepted at the private hospitals and clinics here, although you’d want to check about your specific company and policy. CIMA Hospital and Clinica Biblica has departments dedicated to international patients and international insurance claims, so you should be able to check out the policy you’re thinking of with them directly.

The good thing about international insurance is that you’re covered in CR but also for visits back home and anywhere else you travel.

As far as prescriptions available in the Caja healthcare program, you can check out the list here: http://www.ccss.sa.cr/medicamentos

Hopefully your medication are available there. Often, the generic drugs are used instead of brand names. And not all drugs, especially what you might consider cutting edge or for rare ailments, are available. What you can do in that case is use your private health insurance or you can also appeal to the Caja officials to make the drugs you need available to you.

Many drugs are available without prescriptions in pharmacies, except psychoactive drugs, habit-forming drugs like narcotics, and antibiotics. I suppose you could get a prescription for anything by visiting a doctor. Some pharmacies have a doctor on staff.

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