What Expats Think of Costa Rica Hospitals

Expat Reports CIMA's prices are high

The World Health Organization currently ranks Costa Rica as the 36th best health care system in the world.

The U.S. is ranked 37th.  Costa Rica is home to highly trained physicians that provide quality health care and serve medical tourists at a fraction of the cost compared to the United States and Canada.

Because of Costa Rica’s close proximity to the USA, the country attracts a lot of US patients.  Costa Rica is only 2 ½ hrs from Miami, 3 hrs. from Dallas, and flights are very inexpensive.

An American expat, Gene Warneke, sent in a detailed report, “An Expat’s Costa Rica’s Medical Provider’s Guide“.  In additon to some great information, Warneke offers local insights into what the expats think about the hospitals and how they’re run.  All good information peppered with local knowledge.

Here’s an overview excerpted from his consumer report:

“The Hospital Clinica Biblica has invested in equipment and high end technology for years and still continues to do so.  Recently it invested over $2.6 million in acquiring a hemodynamic laboratory, three echocardiogram units and a strength test circuit.  The equipment recently purchased by the Hospital responds to its growing presence within the cardiovascular niche.

CIMA Hospitals, Costa Rica.  CIMA Hospital is affiliated and integrated as a teaching hospital with the Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas, Texas. The hospital is operated by the International Hospital Corporation.  It is the only hospital in Central America that is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is now JCI accredited.

Languages spoken at CIMA are English, Spanish, French and Japanese.  Majority of physicians are English speaking. Run by International Hospital Corp of Texas. Up to international standards, excellent access for foreigners and the only San Jose hospital with helipad facility.

Majority of physicians at CIMA Hospital are English speaking. Run by International Hospital Corp of Texas. Up to international standards, excellent access for foreigners and the only San Jose hospital with helipad facility.

It’s an air conditioned facility with private rooms only. 24-hrs. ER, ICU, PICU & NICU available. Pharmacy & complete laboratory are open 24-hrs. as well. Private taxi service is available. Intercontinental hotel is located 1 block away. Heliport. Blood bank is safe (blood screened by international standards). Other services: bank, gym, restaurant, cafeteria, private parking with guard 24-hrs, gift shop, flower shop, physioteraphy.

The institution is new and modern with 300 associated physicians and a hospital with 56 beds and two office towers. They are currently expanding both the number of inpatient beds and opening a third office tower.

The majority of the physicians have post-graduate education in the U.S., Mexico or South America. It is well organized and includes almost every specialty. Imaging, investigative and laboratory equipment are state of the art. In general, the hospital is a modern facility with First World equipment and standards.”

Here’s the “peppered” part:

“CIMA’s prices are high. Some of their own physicians complained that the administration had invoiced bills in their name that were higher than what the physician charged to the patients. There was also a delay in paying them of up to two months.

Personnel at the U.S. Embassy and the U.K. Embassy also voiced their own and others’ concerns that CIMA overcharges.  They did state that expatriates and those who live or work near the U.S. Embassy prefer CIMA because of its location.”

– submitted by T4H member Gene Warneke