How Does Caja Work ?

If you are in any "temporary" residency legal status, you must be currently enrolled in the CAJA and you must pay the monthly premium every month -- 12 months a year.

Regardless what your legal status is (temporary or permanent resident), you must meet the above CAJA requirement. You DO NOT, however, have to actually use the CAJA.

There is a well-established private health care system that is basically like the "fee-for-service" system that prevails in the U.S. In the CAJA system, you get the care you're deemed to need from the provider(s) to whom they assign you. On the private side, you're welcome to shop doctors and pay the bills.

Because the CAJA system is chronically underfunded, wait times for specialty care can be very long, and the list of available medications may be restricted. Neither of those is true on the private side. Almost (almost) any medication is available over-the-counter. In fact, for many meds, you don't even need a doctor's prescription. Likewise, you can walk into an x-ray clinic and ask for a chest x-ray without any intervention from a physician.

@TerrynViv Thanks again, very interesting all the ins and outs.
I wonder if an RRSP would qualify as a "retirement fund" by the Costa Rican govt to satisfy the $1000/month Pensionado requirement?
-@Blackwatch

To meet the income requirement for pensionado status in Costa Rica, the source of the income must be guaranteed for life. Sources such as governmental pensions meet that requirement. Private pension programs may or may not qualify. In either case, the source must be prepared to issue a legal document that confirms the lifetime coverage.

An important note: It,common for a married couple to apply for and be granted temporary (pensionado) residency based on the income of the husband. The wife qualifies as his dependent.

The problem that arises is when the husband dies. Then, the wife/widow must qualify on the basis of her own income which, in some cases, may not meet the income requirement. This requirement does not apply to those with official permanent residency. So, it’s best to apply for permanent redidency as soon as you qualify.

Guys, you may be in tip-top health, but that won’t save you from a speeding bus.