Medical Tourism in Costa Rica
A country with vast experience in medical tourism.

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH IN COSTA RICA

In a recent interview Dr. Jorge Cortes, President of the Council for the International Promotion of Costa Rica Medicine – Promed and Medical Director of the Biblica Hospital, gave us 10 reasons why you should travel to Costa Rica if you are contemplating a medical procedure or surgery:

1. Costa Rican doctors are very well trained. Doctors in Costa Rica have undergone training utilizing the same knowledge base and access that doctors in the United States have a well as via the same text books and specialized medical publications.

2. Private hospitals in Costa Rica have taken the necessary steps to ensure they have the latest available technology in their institutions. To cite an example; at the Biblica Hospital, magnetic resonance diagnostic equipment presently in use at the Hospital, is the same equipment found at the Cleveland Clinic in the United States. In addition Dr. Cortes tells us that 100% of the country`s private hospitals including the CIMA Hospital, La Catolica Hospital and Biblica Hospital, all located in the capital San Jose, are fully accredited by the Joint medical practices have received accreditation with other United States organizations such as the American Associations for Accreditation of Ambulatory Health Care – AAAHC . In essence, these accreditations guarantee that the quality of medicine that is being offered in Costa Rica is both monitored and targets the safety of the patient.

3. Health care services provided at the hospitals and clinics is generally perceived to be more personalized and offers more personal attention to its visiting patients. Many doctors and a large part of the healthcare personnel who work at these medical facilities speak English while the fees and costs for services are much less and many times up to one third the cost of what an equivalent treatment would cost in the United States.

4. The country`s location at the center of the Central American Isthmus provides for an adequate travel distance with easy access to the US market. The furthest US city is but a 6 hour flight to the capital city of San Jose. Costa Rica also enjoys a stable political and social climate, a competitive advantage that it has retained over many decades. 5. Costa Rican culture and lifestyle is very similar to that of the United States therefore eliminating the possibility of “ cultural shock “ for the visitor and /or US patient. This differentiates Costa Rica from other well known medical tourism destinations such India or Thailand, whose cultures and lifestyles are vastly different from that of the United States.

5. Costa Rican culture and lifestyle is very similar to that of the United States therefore eliminating the possibility of “ cultural shock “ for the visitor and /or US patient. This differentiates Costa Rica from other well known medical tourism destinations such India or Thailand, whose cultures and lifestyles are vastly different from that of the United States.

6. Medicine in Costa Rica has had continual growth and progress for more than 70 years. This is more by design than by chance and it is the result of many years of substantial investments made by the government towards the system of social medicine in Costa Rica.

7. Costa Rica has a recognized history and a ample level of experience in the field of medical tourism. Dating back to the latter part of the 1970`s and the beginnings of the 80`s, Costa Rica has been receiving and servicing patients from the United States who began to travel here for cosmetic surgery procedures and later dental treatment . These patients recognized the quality of Costa Rican medicine as well as the benefits of lower cost and excellent care ; resulting in constant word of mouth recommendations to friends and family. As the progressed, US patients began to enquire about other types of surgery and medical treatment. As a result, today patients can opt for a bariatric surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, medical checkups, and the gamma of medical procedures, cosmetic and wellness services continues to grow.

8. Insurance companies such a Blue Cross Blue shield have included medical tourism service alternatives in their polices by way of agreements with certified hospitals; recognizing in the manner, the effective reduction of cost both for the company as well as for their insured while confident that there is no sacrifice in the quality of service and the safety of the patient.

9. In the event of a dispute, patients form United States can rely on access to a specialized Conflict Resolution Center.

10. 10. Promed has a established a `Seal of Quality` and grants that seal to qualified recuperation center, travel companies offering medical tourism services, suppliers of goods and services, and to universities that train healthcare personnel. The Promed ` Seal of quality` Is an added value that enhances the level of confidence for patients seeking and selecting medical services in Costa Rica.