Mark I. Says:
What are the estimated monthly payments for healthcare in Costa Rica?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Mark,
If you are a legal resident you will be required to join the national healthcare system, Caja. That cost typically runs 7% to 11% of your stated income on your residency application.
For example, if you receive $1,200 per month in Social Security from the US, and you and your dependent spouse have applied jointly, your monthly Caja payment will be approximately $84 to $132 per month for both of you.
To apply for residency jointly, you only need to claim one Social Security payment as your income, as long as it is $1,000 or more.
If you choose to buy a private policy the premiums vary widely, based on chosen deductibles, age, current health condition, and the number of people covered on the policy. Some private companies will not cover seniors above a certain age or any pre-existing conditions. This is the most expensive option however it costs considerably less than buying a similar policy in the US.
As an example, a 2021 quote from BMI/Aetna (Best Meridian Insurance based in Miami)—including emergency care up to 60-day consecutive periods outside of Costa Rica or a total of six months outside the country per calendar year— for a healthy individual aged 59 with a $10,000 deductible was quoted at $2,600 annually (around $217 per month). An estimated quote for a similar policy in the US is $6,850 annually.
Get all of your in-depth questions about Costa Rica answered when you join us in Las Vegas this October for the 2024 Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp.
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