Caja payment

I pay $450/month for CAJA. I have temp residency because I come for one week a month on business. If I ever needed long term or very expensive treatment, I would evacuate to my primary Insurance.   Larry

Is there a way to lower caja payment. I pay $350 a month.
I am told to get a dentist appointment is just a waiting experience.
I don't trust the hospital I'm told I have to go to. Went there once with stenosis of the aorta( didn't know yhrn what was wrong) and never saw a doctor. Left after I a couple hours.
Can I actually go somewhere to see if I have arthritis, bursitis, need a hip? I just go with old age sucks.
Where do I find any comments? I haven't figured that out either.
Not getting any smarter. - @Schempf

Schempf,

I realize this doesn’t answer your specific questions but it does address a medical care option in Costa Rica so maybe you will find it helpful. I would highly recommend MediSmart - with Hospital Metropoliltano (San Jose, Lindora and on the west side of San Jose).  You posted doesn’t mention where you live so I don’t know if these locations are convenient for you. There are smaller clinics available in other parts of Costa Rica. One can look for a doctor that accepts MediSmart in a specific area online.

You can get it now with or without residency. It is a plan offered by Hospital Metropolitano that covers doctor visits, exams (x-ray, CT scans, colonoscopies and etc), blood tests and some prescription at a very significant discount (between 20% and 80% depending on the procedure or type doctor). An appointment with my Internal Medicine doctor is about $30 per visit. There is an annual cost of about $175 (or one can pay monthly - about $15/mo) and one can apply and pay online.

Others can be added to the primary account for a reduced price. The list of doctors and clinics is always increasing as is about 1,000 now all over Costa Rica. Dental visits are also included. They have a call in number and you can talk with a doctor for maybe some basic questions. Surgeries are typically not included. I have used it for as long as it has been available and I pay for the annual fee in the savings from 2 or 3 doctor visits. Appointments can be made online easily and often for the same or next day. There is nothing to file. I strongly suggest that anyone that lives here in CR with or without CAJA or private insurance have Medismart. Info at: medismart.net

Other private hospitals like CIMA and Clinica Biblica also have plans but I don’t know the details. The MediSmart plan is the best for me.

Hope this helps.

@jwboozeriii

I for one will say THANK YOU for sharing that  !! 

Adding MediSmart for a measly $175 per year is a great idea/asset.  That way a person can keep their 'caja' for routine medical crap, and thus, maintain their Residency...  and have peace of mind that they carry a Costa Rican ID (cedula) and don't have to leave every 6 months to stay 'legal'.

I have walked into a Dentist office here and made an appointment for the very next day... full cleaning was around $25.

Anyway....

thanks again.

rainagain, above, you wrote, "Surgeries are typically not included." Actually, at least in some instances that's not correct. We have friends who have had a gall bladder  removal and a breast biopsy, both done under the auspices of MediSmart. The website lists a large number of medical specialties and the discounts that apply in each field.

Also, just this morning I got an email from our general practitioner who said that our share of his charge for an office visit has gone up to c10,000 for 2025.

@rainagain

Con mucho gusto - thanks for your note!

rainagain, above, you wrote, "Surgeries are typically not included." Actually, at least in some instances that's not correct. We have friends who have had a gall bladder removal and a breast biopsy, both done under the auspices of MediSmart. The website lists a large number of medical specialties and the discounts that apply in each field.
Also, just this morning I got an email from our general practitioner who said that our share of his charge for an office visit has gone up to c10,000 for 2025. - @daveandmarcia

Now that you mention it, I do seem to remember a sign at Metropolitano Lindora about discounts for surgeries. Seemed like 10-30% discounts and it depended on which Metropolitano facility was used (seems San Jose had a bigger discount). Also it seemed to depend on the day of the week (I think Mondays were a larger discount). I’m not sure what that included - surgeon, surgical suite, nurses and etc but it’s worth checking out. By the way, I have had several colonoscopies (with biopsies) done at Metro - Lindora and they are discounted. Thanks ….   

@daveandmarcia

Dave.... that wasn't me that wrote that.  But thanks for reminding us ALL what old age can do to a person.

Maybe better reading glases for the new year???

Just a suggestion.