Costa Rica Medical Tourism

Costa Rica, together with Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Brasil, and Chile, is among the Latin America countries that have become popular destinations for medical tourism.[43][44] In 2009 Costa Rica received 30,000 international tourists seeking for medical treatment, and spent around US$250 million. Most medical travelers came from the United States and Canada.[45] Costa Rica is particularly attractive to American tourists because of its proximity and short flight, the quality of medical services and its health care system, and lower medical costs.[44][46] The country has 20 medical centers, including small clinics and private hospitals, with international certification, including three hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International.[45][46]  

American tourists prefer Costa Rica, together with Mexico and Panama, for dental services or cosmetic surgeries. Costa Rica offers 30% to 50% savings as compared to U.S. costs for quality dental and cosmetic surgery services, and is attractive for those U.S. citizens without health insurance or seeking procedures not covered by their health insurance plans.[43][47] Foreign patients also find lower-priced nonsurgical procedures and tests, as an example, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Costa Rica costs from $200 to $300, compared to more than $1,000 in the United States.[43] In average medical costs are 70% lower than in the U.S.[45] Due to the country's natural attractions, many health tourists combine their treatment with ecotourism and offer an opportunity to their family or companions to be entertained while the patient undergoes the medical procedure.[44]

43.^ a b c Herrick, Devon M. (2007). Medical Tourism: Global Competition in Health Care. National Center for Policy Analysis, Dallas, Texas. pp. 4–6, 9. ISBN 1-56808-178-2. Available in pdf

44.^ a b c Bookman, Milica Z.; Bookman, Karla R. (2007). Medical Tourism in Developing Countries. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. pp. 3–4, 58, 95, and 134–135. ISBN 978-0-230-60006-5.

45.^ a b c Sergio Arce (2011-05-02). "Costa Rica intenta atraer al turismo médico corporativo" (in Spanish). La Nación. Retrieved 2011-05-13.

46.^ a b "Costa Rica Medical Tourism". Health-Tourism.com. Retrieved 2011-05-13.

47.^ "Medical Tourism Statistics and Facts". Health-Tourism.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.

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