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Health Care System in Costa Rica
INS Medical Regional

 

The INS Medical Regional is an alternative to Plan 16 and provides broader coverage. Who Can Be Insured? Residents of Costa Rica ages 18 to 65 can apply. Sometimes people up to 70 have been accepted. Once insured, INS will renew indefinitely so long as the premium is paid. Dependents from birth up to age 24 can also be insured.

What is Covered?
Medical expenses due to accident, sickness or maternity, up to $200,000 per year. For people over 69, the coverage is reduced to $60,000 per year. The policy will also pay for an eye test and checkup, as of the second year. It covers hospital care and ambulatory care. Subject to sub-limits, also maternity, cancer, epidemic diseases, prosthesis, organ transplants, ophthalmic care, air ambulance if treatment can only be administered abroad, repatriation of remains, death benefit for burial, etc. By means of surcharges you can increase the cancer coverage, and coverage for severe medical conditions, to $400,000.

Where?
Worldwide coverage. But the policy is designed for and works best in Central America.

Main Exclusions
Conditions existing when the insurance is bought. Treatments for obesity, cosmetic surgery, sterility, congenital conditions, dental care, sex change, insemination, mental disease, addictions, attempted suicide, self-inflicted lesions, pregnancy of dependents except spouse, accidents when the insured was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, correction of vision, for AIDS and HIV positive, erectile dysfunction, chiropractic and podiatrist care, tranquilizers, antidepressants, vitamins, non-prescribed expenses, experimental treatments, accidents while practicing high-risk or speed sports, medical expenses as a result of cataclysmic events, terrorism, civil insurrection or war.

Pre-existing Conditions
Chronic conditions, at the discretion of INS, can be covered if the applicant has had no symptoms in the last two years.

Claims and Deductible
In Central America there is a network of providers (doctors, hospitals, labs, clinics and pharmacies), which includes Clínica Biblica, Hospital CIMA, Clínica Católica and others, where you will pay less because they are bound to a price limitation imposed by INS, and you will get a lower deductible. Also, for hospital care you use your insurance card to cover the balance. With preferred providers, for hospital care you pay for one day of hospital room, plus 10 percent of the following $5,000; for ambulatory care you pay $10 per doctors'visit, plus 10 percent of other prescribed expenses. With outside providers, for hospital care you will pay for one day of hospital room with a minimum of $200, plus 20 percent of the next $20,000; for ambulatory care, you pay $20 per doctor's visit, plus 20 percent of other prescribed expenses.

How Much Does It Cost?
You can choose from three levels of insurance. Premiums depend on the level, and on age and sex of applicants (costs shown in U.S. dollars). Some averages of yearly premiums:

Adults

Age
0-18 ............................... US$ 448 ................................. US$ 524
19-25 .....................................470 ......................................... 562
26-29 .....................................498 ......................................... 602
30-34 .....................................553 ......................................... 678
35-39 .....................................640 ......................................... 783
40-44 .....................................692 ........................................ 865
45-49 .....................................829 ......................................... 931
50-54 .....................................953 ...................................... 1,086
55-59 ..................................1,068 ...................................... 1,179
60-64 .................................1,348 ..................................... 1,364
65-69 .................................1,625 ..................................... 1,599
70-75 .................................2,090 ..................................... 2,046

Children to 10 years.

Both genders

1 kid............................... US$ 226
2 kids .....................................291
3 kids + ................................. 376

Applications

No medical examination is normally necessary. For bureaucratic reasons, policy applications are best filled out by an agent. You must pay the first premium at the time of applying. The policy comes into effect 30 days later. Some medical conditions have a 10-month moratorium.

What numbers do I phone for medical assistance when I am away from Costa Rica ?
  • Within the United States: 1-866-543-6307 (toll free)
  • Any other country except Costa Rica: +1 (305) 463 9635 (you may call collect)

Disclaimer: This document is intended as a summary of most relevant points of the insurance policy; as such, it does not contain every provision stated therein.

Courtesy 2005 Garrett & Associates, http://www.segurosgarrett.com

 

INS Medical International

Who Can Be Insured?

Residents of Costa Rica ages 18 to 65 can apply. Applications from people up to 70 have sometimes been accepted. INS will renew indefinitely so long as the premium is paid. Dependents from birth to age 24 can also be insured.

What Is Covered?

Medical expenses resulting from accident, sickness or maternity, up to $2 million per year. For people over 69, coverage is reduced to $600,000 per year. The policy will also pay for a yearly eye test and checkup, as of the second year. Covers hospital and ambulatory care. Subject to sub-limits, maternity, cancer, epidemic diseases, prosthesis, transplants, ophthalmic care, air ambulance if medically required, repatriation of remains, death benefit for burial, etc.

Where?

Worldwide coverage.

Main Exclusions

Conditions existing when the insurance is bought. Treatments for obesity, cosmetic surgery, sterility, congenital conditions, dental care, sex change, insemination, mental disease, addictions, attempted suicide, self-inflicted lesions, pregnancy of dependents except spouse, accidents when the insured was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, correction of vision, treatment for AIDS and HIV positive, erectile dysfunction, chiropractic and podiatrist care, tranquilizers, antidepressants, vitamins, non-prescribed expenses, experimental treatments, accidents while practicing high-risk or speed sports, medical expenses as a result of cataclysmic events, terrorism, civil insurrection or war. Pre-existing Conditions

At the discretion of INS, these can be covered if the applicant has had no symptoms in the two years before an application is submitted. Claims and Deductible

In Central and North America there is a network of providers (doctors, hospitals, labs, clinics and pharmacies) where you will pay less because they are bound to a price list imposed by INS  and you will get a lower deductible. Also, you use your insurance card to cover the balance for hospital care. (You can also get this insurance with a blanket, per-year deductible, where you accumulate your medical expenses and, if in the policy year they exceed the limit, you can claim for the excess.) With preferred providers, for hospital care you pay for one day of hospital room, plus 10 percent of the following $5,000; for ambulatory care you pay $10 per doctor's visit, plus 10 percent of other prescribed expenses. With outside providers, for hospital care you will pay for one day of hospital room with a minimum of $200, plus 20 percent of the next $20,000; for ambulatory care, you will pay $20 per doctor's visit, plus 20 percent of other prescribed expenses.

How Much Does It Cost?

You can choose from three levels of insurance. Premiums depend on the level, and on age and sex of applicants (costs shown in US dollars). Applications No medical examination is normally necessary. For bureaucratic reasons, policy applications are best filled out by an agent. You must pay the first premium at the time of applying. The policy comes into effect 30 days later. Some medical conditions have a 10-month moratorium.

What numbers do I phone for medical assistance when I am away from Costa Rica ?

  • Within the United States: 1-866-543-6307 (toll-free)
  • Any other country except Costa Rica: +1 (305) 463 9635 (you may call collect) Courtesy of 2005 Garrett & Associates http://www.segurosgarrett.com

From "The New Golden Door to retirement and Living in Costa Rica" by Christopher Howard.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without written permission of the authors and copyright owner.
 

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