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Costa Rica:
A New Destination For Medical
Care
By Melissa Francis, MSNBC.com
Imagine a place where you
receive the best care in the
world from some of the best
doctors in the world, while
having access to some of the
latest medical technology. It’s
a short plane ride from the U.S.
and it’s about half the cost.
Look no further than Costa Rica.
Here, doctors limit themselves
to the number of patients they
can handle at one time, making
the patient feel special.
“I have all sorts of American
physicians visiting us and
seeing patients getting care
here. . .the patients enjoy it
and that’s what they want,” said
Dr. Eduardo Huertas, a
neurosurgeon at CIMA hospital
here.
Doctors in Costa Rica perform
many of the same procedures that
are done in the United States,
everything from back surgery to
face-lifts. Insurance companies
with international coverage will
honor many of the surgeries,
making it even more appealing
for those ready to go under the
knife.
"Between 75 to 85 percent of my
patients are American - either
retired or coming here looking
for the same quality with better
price," said Dr. Huertas.
Cheaper, yes. But is it safe?
"Working in a hospital such as
this one, we have all the same
standards as you have in the
United States," said Huertas.
It is those standards, along
with highly educated and trained
surgeons, that are drawing
thousands of patients a year to
Costa Rica – many of whom come
for plastic surgery.
"People who come from the U.S.
generally come for facial
surgery -- eyes, lips,
face-lift," says Huertas,
"Mostly people come for a couple
of procedures, it is very rare
to see someone come for just one
procedure."
It isn’t just the quality of
care attracting patients. Not
looking forward to surgery?
Imagine planning your recovery
in paradise… whether its by the
beach, or pool.
New hospitals are popping up
next to some of the biggest
resorts in Costa Rica, giving
patients some of the best
recovery rooms the world has to
offer. Those recovering are
often asked to stay at least 15
days, so doctors can be sure
that the body has fully healed.
Doctor’s orders . . .
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