Healthcare in Costa Rica—Our Recent Experiences (January 2013)

December was a busy month medically, but January slowed down quite a bit. In early January, we paid our monthly Caja premium. We always go to the Social Security office to pay it. I could pay it anywhere, even online, but old habits are hard to break, so I just go to the office between the 1st and the 8th every month to pay.
Early on, Gloria and I made a concerted effort to use the doctors and dentists of San Ramon since this is where we live. However, we would not hesitate to get a second opinion from a private doctor or go to one of the private hospitals in San Jose for tests or to see a specialist, if necessary. But our first course of action is our local EBAIS (local clinic).
Here’s a summary of our healthcare related experiences in January:
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Paul’s January Medical Care
- 1/14: Got a panoramic dental x-ray (Cost: 17,000 colones/$34)
- 1/14: Doctors appointment at EBAIS to go over results of recent blood tests (Cost: $0)
- 1/17: Have blood drawn for more comprehensive blood work (Cost: $0)
- 1/25: Dental cleaning (Cost: 18,000 colones/$36)
- 1/30: Picked up results of 2nd blood test to make a photocopy in town (Cost: $0)
- Bought Chanca Piedra (for kidney stones) at macrobiotica (Cost: $10)
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Gloria’s January Medical Care
“Getting a Flu Shot”
Despite the controversy surrounding whether or not you should get a flu shot, Paul and I both opted to get one. He got his last month when he went to our local EBAIS to get blood work done. I got mine right on our patio. Senior Ruíz from our EBAIS came by on his motorcycle with everything he needed to give me a flu shot. Here are some pictures:




- 1/14-31: Went to 12 Physical Therapy appointments at the hospital to treat sciatica (Cost: $0)
- 1/20: Flu shot (Cost: $0)
- Picked up free month of medication at the farmacia. Note: Many drug companies have a “buy two, get one free” offer on various medications. Be sure to check to see if your medications qualify. (Cost: $0)
- Bought vitamins, and co-enzyme CoQ10 at the macrobiotica (Cost: $18)
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