News Article: Costa Rica ranked best Central Amer. country for retirees

I strongly encourage you to read this recent article I found, even if you are only considering a visit to beautiful Costa Rica. It gives you a good idea of the conditions there!

http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/News-Briefs/Costa-Rica-ranked-best-Central-American-country-for-elderly-retirees-new-report-says_Tuesday-October-08-2013

When you read this article, please keep a few things in mind that they don't mention.
Mostly, these tips I have all boil down to:  moving isn't for everybody, and certainly should not be undertaken without a good amount of personal research first, including a few trips there!

DentaRica is pleased we can offer "trial run" trips to Costa Rica as simple vacations, plus perhaps a doctor consultation or a tour of a hospital (on days when you are not visiting a rain forest or museum). This is a great resource, whether you are considering a move or merely wanting to see medical and dental facilities before you decide.

According to AARP, most Americans who move to Costa Rica move back home within one year, but for those willing to adapt to a change in climate and culture and lifestyle, it can be a very beneficial move (in terms of health, happiness, low stress, and even public safety).  In my travels around Costa Rica as a tourism destination specialist and medical tourism facilitator, I have met people from the USA (even from my hometown area) trying to "escape" to Costa Rica for a variety of reasons  --bad debt, bad marriages, lack of retirement savings, lack of health coverage, etc. 

People who are irresponsible and who have poor family relationships in the USA are not likely to have a greater level of personal happiness or improved health in Costa Rica, or anywhere else for that matter. 

People who have never traveled to an under-developed county in the past may be dissatisfied. The electrical service goes off at times, and some services such as mail are virtually non existent.  The roads are congested and in ill repair partly because of the heavy rains and runoff, and the pedestrian does not have the right of way.  The desserts are not sweet, the language is different, and the country is not handicap friendly.   Consumer goods (such as appliances) are very expensive, nearly twice the price as in the USA.  Real estate is very expensive. 

People who have a  low degree of mobility or some existing health issues may not be comfortable. As I said, the country in general is not especially handicap friendly. Getting around may be tricky. The health care system there in not entirely free for residents, and most citizens in the USA will have lower payments under the Affordable Care Act if they have a low income.  Advantages are the fresh fruit and vegetables, but my local supermarket sells Costa Rica pineapples and bananas, in addition to the locally grown collard greens and cool weather crops.  There is a lot of hype about moving to Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, Spain, and any number of countries. 

This all being said, one can have a good life in Costa Rica, but no one should read an article and sell their home and move there, as did one senior I recently met from Oregon when I was last there.  She needed mobility devices like a scooter, and had health issues,  did not speak Spanish and had no family for support.  Basic activities for her were extremely difficult while there.  These types of people read online articles and then leap into a change of lifestyle with false assumptions and information.  Some tour companies will capitalize on someone's ignorance and charge fees to "show them around; introduce them to Costa Rica" and "help them find housing and move"  through seminars that cost thousands of dollars.  

What needs to be remembered here is that the Tico Times article is addressing which of the Central American countries is best for retirees, and is not looking at the entire spectrum that compares it to elsewhere in the world.  I often have to be brutally honest in my business of DentaRica, explaining to people that if they live in the USA, then they are better off living in America  and traveling to Costa Rica as a tourist to take advantage of their high quality, low cost healthcare and dental treatments, and to tour around and enjoy Costa Rica as a tropical paradise destination, then go home.  The country of Costa Rica also does not need gringos that are fleeing bad debts,  bad relationships or criminal backgrounds.  

Would you try medical tourism for 10 THOUSAND dollars?

I just updated the "Prices" link above to link to our newest price guide, which reflect a discount plan we have negotiated on behalf of our customers. Check it out and prepare to be in for a shock.

I realize a lot of people are extremely hesitant to try something like this.
But let me ask you.
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you get on a plane (by a reputable airline of your choice)
and fly 4 to 6 hours internationally?
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you go to the trouble of getting a passport?
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you stay at a fine hotel in a luxurious exotic setting?
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you get world-class, high-tech, healthcare by U.S. certified doctors and dentists?
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you get better recovery healthcare than in the U.S. (with a better nurse ratio and better healthcare system)
For 10 THOUSAND dollars, would you go on an unforgettable tour to, say, a waterfall garden, a volcano, or a rain forest?

We are not offering a ten thousand dollar bonus for people who'll try our service. We are simply saying that these are the probable savings for a person with a $12,000 medical bill in the U.S. (which is sadly very realistic, or even a low estimate).

$12,0000 U.S. or $2,000*  in Costa Rica?
It's your choice.
That's generically $600 flight + $400 hotel + $800 medical/dental + $200 tours/expenses
*All prices of course vary for many reasons. Traveller preferences and medical needs are the biggest variables.

What about a smaller U.S. bill?
The same idea applies, with savings all the way to the $2,000 level.
$8000 U.S. or $2000 in Costa Rica?
$5000 U.S. or $1,800 in Costa Rica?
$3000 U.S. or $1,600 in Costa Rica?

Just a few cosmetic procedures (which are not usually covered by insurace) can quickly add up. And often, and tragically, "cosmetic" healthcare is actually a matter of actual health and well-being. But the insurance companies doen't care. That's why we are here to help.

The prices I imply here are not the same for everybody, and I encourage everyone to take responsibilty for their health, whether they are a traveller with DentaRica, someone else, or someone who chooses medical care here in the U.S.

Ongoing professionalism: SHRM 2013 Annual Conference

http://annual.shrm.org/

DentaRica staff (myself included) visited the 2013 SHRM Annual Conference in Chicago last weekend (June 2013) as part of our continuing commitment to professional conduct and making our staff even more valuable to our travelers. We joined the Costa Rican delegation, and greeted Human Resource Managers and attendees at the PROCOMER booth (Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica).

I am very disappointed I did not get to meet Hillary Clinton, the keynote speaker. A photo with her would look great alongside my photo with the former president of Costa Rica taken at the PROMED Summit this past spring. But I had obligations to attend to.

DentaRica was a vender also, and was actively promoting our business-to-business sales program, the DentaRica Discount Card. We are very excited about it, as it is already running strong in Costa Rica itself, with over 25,000 already sold to companies there.

The DentaRica Card, closely associated with Dr. Retana and Salud-Dent, offers discounted services only available with membership in the Card program. These are discounted prices on top of the already unbelievably low Costa Rican regular prices.

The Card is also available to individuals (with plans including dependents) , and offers the same discounts. Our original business model still applies, but we have added to the options we offer.

Unibe Hospital in Costa Rica also sent delegates from Costa Rica, and I was able, as CEO of DentaRica Travel, to negotiate incredible discounts for DentaRica Card Holders for medical treatments at Unibe Hospital.  $10 for an EKG!  I got one here in the states for $300 not too long ago.  Since the hospital in Costa Rica meets USA standards and has the same equipment, it is easy to see why going to Costa Rica makes sense, or should I say "cents."

useful links - exchange rates and holidays in Costa Rica

Please follow this useful link for exchange rates vesus the U.S.
http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/indicadores.asp

The Costa Rican money is the colón. 
Our DentaRica staff have discovered what most Costa Ricans seem to know without talking about. It is easiest to think of the currency for everyday use the Mil, which is a bill for 1,000 colones. One MIL is about $2 at current rates, making 10 MIL about $20. Be careful you do not accidently reverse this doubling rule-of-thumb the way I have once or twice!

Also, while I am here please check out the Happy Planet Index, which is an independent survey and listing of the Happiest Places on Earth factoring in quality of life, environmental health, and prospects for a healthy future. Costa Rica is first on the list! And the U.S. wasn't even high enough on the list for a mention....

Here is a list of holidays for Costa Rica. Their festivals are a sight to behold! Maybe your trip could be planned so you are in Costa Rica at these times, or maybe you want to avoid all the hubub and confusion!

Mi Cafe Arena

This is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in Escazu. It's a lovely little restaurant located very near our partner DentaVac and many of our partner hotels. It's also a lovely little restaurant with amazing homestyle food served with authentic Costa Rican spirit. And they now have a website besides their Facebook account!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mi-Cafe-Arena/134760853244248

http://www.micafearena.com/

It's not a very big cafe, and their internet presence isn't the fanciest, but you go there for the quality, not the advertising. They are more of a "mom and pop" type of business, like a huge number you'll find in Costa Rica, and you'll be very happy when you go there,

To share a story of mine, before I went to Costa Rica for the first time I read extensively in various travel books, and once I even read one published just a few months before my trip. They recommended this one restaurant for amazing food and authentic fun atmosphere. It was awful. I don't know why the book recommended them. Perhaps the restaurant owners found out the reviewer was coming, and staged impressive festivities. Maybe he was paid somehow, I don't know.

In any case, I've learned to trust those travel books only but so far. This wasn't the only time they led me astray. In this day and age, you can e-mail and speak to someone with personal experience and then compare to what others have also told you. At DentaRica, we pride ourselves on personal experience and our advice is part of our service. But my advice is also free. 

you've heard nightmare stories about medical travel?

So have I. I found this link to YouTube today, and I wanted to address it (and related issues) upfront.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgweBSQlR54

This poor lady had such a bad experience, but that's because she went to a bad dentist. Even in the U.S., that is a recipe for disaster.

I have not spoken to the woman above, nor do I know any more about her trip than is in the video. We do not know of this dentist mentioned, although we have encountered "dentists" like him.

It very much sounds like she just picked a dentist of the internet with a flashy website. A dentist who was not PROMED. Her "dentist" may not have even been an actual dentist in our sense of the word. Those "references" could well have been paid salespeople.

Look here to see the certified PROMED partners:
http://www.promedcostarica.com/certification

We have many people who call us wanting to travel, but their family members think they're crazy to consider medical travel. These family members have usually heard such nightmare stories as the link above, and just don't realize that DentaRica is different. Our partners in Costa Rica are chosen for their high quality. Costa Rica itself is shockingly modern and high-tech. PROMED is different and they are on your side in Costa Rica. Did you know that if there is dissatisfaction by a foreign patient PROMED requires it's member dentist and doctors to provide (at no cost) corrective measures? You can feel secure with a PROMED doctor or dentist, just as you can feel secure with DentaRica, a PROMED facilitator.

Bone loss after teeth removal (including dentures)

Please look at this link: (our companies are not affiliated)
http://phperio.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tooth_bone_loss.jpg
http://www.burbankdentalimplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-19-at-3.26.35-PM.png

This is very real and worrisome. Have you ever seen an elderly person like the lady pictured above?

I hate to have such a negative thing on my blog, but this is important.

When a person looses their teeth (even for dentures), they are almost certainly going to suffer bone loss in the jawbone. This is especially bad when all teeth are gone. That results in a sunken face like in the graphic I linked to. Also, it will make dentures fit worse and worse over time.

Even though dental implants are expensive and troublesome, the consequences of not getting them are fearful.

With DentaRica, expensive dental is made possible to even a fixed income. Instead of $10,000 for a handful of implants, what about $4000? and that price is after airline tickets, nice hotels, and extravagant tourist destinations such as volcanoes or a coffee plantation or a rainforest.

get the benefits of many consultations

One of the biggest factors in bad health care is errors in diagnosis. People can quite literally die because the doctor they visit has not seen your particular illness before. Your doctor may be a great doctor with the best of intentions and a commitment to quality care, but something new and rarely seen often requires an experienced doctor. This is nothing new. This advice has been given for years and years, and is common sense.

What is unfortunate is that in America the costs for 2nd and 3rd opinions is often too high to be practical. For a major surgery, those opinions are of life-and-death importance!

For a DentaRica traveler, its easy to get these extra consultation, resulting in better outcomes. Prices in Costa Rica are so much more reasonable that just about anyone can afford multiple doctor visits.

Speaking of better outcomes, did you know that you can afford a better doctor of dentist for much less money? Did you know how marvelously high-tech Costa Rican medicine can be? It's shocking.

Our newest partner, Dr. Retana, has been to France and the U.S. to lecture and teach other dentists! He has personally designed his dental office to be among the safest in Costa Rica. His sanitation methods are above and beyond what we have come to expect. He is one of very few Costa Rican densists (outside of hospitals) to have an anesthesiologist on staff, specializing in sedation dentistry. He has a long list of international and professional accreditations and certifications, including the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, NYU College of Dentistry, and AAAASF International.

For example, most U.S. dentists will do their best to know where the nerves are in your jawbone before your dental surgery. They do the best they can without expensive medical scans which would make their prices unpopular. In Costa Rica, they do not have to sacrifice quality to keep costs low, because even the higher prices in Costa Rica are cheap compared to the U.S. prices.
They are not trying to be cheap. This is not cut-rate quality!
Look at his website for yourselves! He describes all this in detail.

Ask your U.S. dentist why he doesn't do a scan on the nerves in your jaw. Ask him or her if they have an AAAASF International certification. Ask if there is an an anesthesiologist on staff.

And simply consider the health benefits of extra personal attention! In the U.S., there is often one nurse to every twelve patients, or sometimes worse. The nurses in the U.S. (bless them) just can't provide the personal attention that they want to. In Costa Rica, it's one nurse for every four patients. How civilized! In my opinion, that is the way healthcare should be for everyone. That's simply humane.

So, in short, my travelers receive BETTER healthcare for LESS money (even after expenses).

We can help "last-minute travelers"

Sometimes people feel too busy for even just 4 days of being out-of-town, but dental needs can will force a person to make the time. Do you know anyone whose dental pain has just gotten to be too much, that they rush to make dentist appointments?

It's just a sad fact that things like this happen, but I am very proud that I can help. Sometimes, for people with fixed incomes, DentaRica is the only way out! 

Delays is decisions to book (and booking a plane ticket is usually the dragging part) are very often related to finances, but not always. Last-minute travelers will often take their time to look at his or her options and consider, which as I have often said on my blog I respect and moreover encourage. We also make that easier on you with our personal knowledge.

Speaking of personal knowledge, we try to book our travelers in a hotel near the dentist or doctor's office. Sometimes, we can make it right across the street. A person from the U.S. inquiring in Costa Rica would have the language barrier on top of talking to slick sales people, and wind up with costly 45-minute taxi rides. We have had a customer who really wanted a downtown location near the casinos, despite the taxi ride times. We found that for him. If someone needs a handicapped-friendly hotel, we know where to go. If a person wants an adventurous hostel experience, we can find that too.

It's also very important a last-minute traveller has a passport already, because that is one thing we can do nothing about! Government-issued passports at regular price can require around 2 months sometimes! Wait too long, and expedited service fees are charged by the U.S. government. 

Our "in and out" appointments are available for someone with responsibilities, whether those be children to care for a job to be back to. These can be done in as few as 2 days.

We also have our longer stays in Costa Rica available, for relaxed recovery, additional dental or medical options, tourism, and simply enjoying a vacation. Someone may want to take advantage of the low prices in Costa Rica to get, say, a whitening treatment ($25) or a skin cancer screening ($20) or an eye exam ($6). And then -and THEN- everyone knows how beautiful Costa Rica is! Look here

You choose what is best for you!

Mr. G. from Lexington, NC is having a successful trip

I am using a pseudonym for his privacy, but Mr. G has told us he is very happy to share things about his trip! He is scheduled to return today and he has only been gone a few days. "In and out" travel we call this, and this kind of travel is perfect for busy people who want affordable dental or medical, and then to get back to their responsibilities. Whether a person has children to look after or a job to look after, we can make it happen!

Mr. G. has said he will probably go back  at some later date. He went alone on this trip, although he was met by DentaRica staff in Costa Rica itself. For a fee, he can have a DentaRica staff travel along to make sure all his concerns are addressed while travelling. In fact, we are having client like that getting ready right now! Mr. L is from Greensboro, NC, and has requested one of our staff to offer personal assistance during his stay, travelling with him from NC to Florida to Costa Rica, and back. Our services will include translation services, personal experience, and access to our FREE international phoneline. Mr. L will be leaving on his trip soon as well!

I will have to keep everyone updated on exactly how much money they saved, even AFTER expenses.

Exciting DentaRica news! This online video link is great!

Please watch the Facebook video link about our newest partner!

https://www.facebook.com/DentaRicaTravelLlc#!/photo.php?v=513954715337562&set=vb.470446122977338&type=2&theater

DentaRica just returned from the ProMed Medical Tourism Summit at the Los Suenos Resort on the Pacific ocean of Costa Rica. DentaRica is partnering with Dr. Retana, DDS in Costa Rica to bring the best procedures and dental treatments at very affordable prices to Americans and Canadians. Watch our video as see for yourself why Dr. Retana is your first choice in dental care in Costa Rica. Go to our website for information about booking an appointment with him, prices, and travel information.

We're back! (with photos)

I had a very successful trip, as did our whole tour group. After our travelling patients departed homebound for the United States, I went on to attend the 2013 ProMed Medical Summit, held in April at the Los Suenos Marriot on the gorgeous Pacific coastline.

I took many photos, including one with a esteemed former President of Costa Rica, Jose Maria Figueres, one of the many guest speakers. Please follow this link to see them!

I felt very strongly about attending this conference. It is pricey to attend, and certainly a time commitment, but I think it says a lot about the truth behind our avowed commitment to personal experience shared with our travellers. We don't just do this as a hobby, or a side-business, or as one of many possible destinations. We are committed both to Costa Rican medicine and our customers.

Our tour is happily arrived in Costa Rica!

Hello, this is Kathy's assistant Richard filling in on her blog. She can access the internet and her blog, but she wants to give her guests her full attention while abroad. That is part of our business model. We make a commitment to personalized service, both at home and abroad.

Kathy wants to report that the tour group has arrived without complications. The tour group will be staying for a little over a week.

She will be taking lots of pictures and will be uploading them soon!

If you wish to call her while she is in Costa Rica and speak to some of our guests, I would be happy to give you the number. It's a hassle-free toll-free call! Please call or e-mail me: sales@dentarica.com or 336-731-6362.

--Richard

Exciting! Next tour next week! We are getting the show on the road!

I can't wait to get back to Costa Rica. You see, I am going personally, for many reasons.

First and most importantly, it is a central value of our business at DentaRica to provide personalized services. We want all our guests to know what we have learned from experience and to have a great vacation. For travellers of the more adventurous sort, we of course can arrange to let people "do this on their own" while also taking advantage of DentaRica's quality-assurance partners. Additionally, for travellers on a budget we can scale down our services and fees.

Second, I will be getting dental work done myself. I needed it done, and this is a perfect time. My appointment is at our partner clinic DentaVac, a member of our quality-control network, PROMED. Yes, I myself will be getting dental work done at the same clinic and by the same dentists that our travellers see. We trust them that much, and for good reason. You see, I've been there for dental work before. I will see familiar faces; people whose skill I trust.

Third, I will be attending a conference on medical tourism hosted by PROMED, and scheduled in Costa Rica at the Los Sueños Ocean & Golf Resort in Playa Herradura on the coast. This is a region of Costa Rica I have not been to before, and I am very excited to get to expereience all that Costa Rica has to offer. I hear that nearby is Manuel Antonio, a national park and wilderness area. I am very much looking forward to seeing the natural, pristine beaches!  I can then better tell our guests about it. But I don't even have to go to a national park because the resort has a 1,100-acre rainforest almost right beside it!
http://themedicaltravelsummit.com/2013/04/gold-sponsor-exportar/

Here is a you tube video about the conference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqjCbtE5XSw

Fourth, I  simply love being in Costa Rica. I miss the atmosphere: the food, the people, the climate, everything about  being there. I'm so happy to be going back!

My costs for travel are basically the same as what our guests see. I had to shop around for the best priced airline ticket for the right day and time, but also with consideration for the quality of the airline experience. I bought a ticket for Monday, April 22 for $160 and returning on Tuesday, April 30 for $148.  I'm serious! Now I add in the many and various travel expenses, of course. Then I add the cost of the dental work itself, and there you have it. I'm sure you can see how international travel is not only affordable, but rather inexpensive compared to what many people assume the cost would be.

Why Our Certifications Matter

I would for like you to see this link, from the largest English-language newspaper in Costa Rica:
http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Costa-Rica-to-host-annual-medical-tourism-summit_Monday-March-11-2013

I think anyone considering medical tourism should be informed that there are companies out there that are not rooted in both the USA and abroad, unlike us. Moreover, often these disreputable companies, although have fancy window-dressing and a flashy website, are not certified through a professional organization that assures quality. For Costa Rica that quality is regulated by ProMed. I noticed a dental tourism site in Atlanta, and they have a convincing site, but they are not ProMed and do not have professional affiliations. We are ProMed certified, though. 

People expect their doctors and dentists to hold professional certifications and affiliations and to have specialized training, and it should be no less for the medical/dental tourism facilitator.  We can be trusted to have the continued training and professionalism that sets us apart from many others advertising on the web. In addition, we go above and beyond ProMed to personally verify the current reputation and credentials of all healthcare providers we recommend.  

How Exciting! A newspaper article about us

The Lexington Dispatch newspaper, a local newspaper to our business offices in Winston-Salem, NC, has published a thrilling article about us. It is, of course, from an outsider's point of view, and that is wonderful, because that's the type of information that we need to show people. I can pitch to you all day how much money a person will save, how great a vacation Costa Rica can provide, or how much it can and has improved people's lives, but coming from me, a listener or reader just ought to be a smart shopper, and I understand that.

Here you go.
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20130325/LIVING/303259994/1074?Title=Woman-organizes-medical-trips-to-Costa-Rica

We've had some beautiful advertisements before, but a legitimate newspaper article is an enormous stepping-stone is a great direction.

Link to U.S. International ranking for healthcare

This is more than confirms what we say. Again, I encourage anyone too look into these matters themselves, but I have already done much of the leg-work for you:

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2010/Jun/Mirror-Mirror-Update.aspx

The World Health Organization has stopped (publishing?) their international rankings around 2009. From what I understand, it was a bit because superpower countries (i.e., the U.S.) protested that their pride was hurt that little countries such as Costa Rica and Chile did better at rankings than they did.

World Health Organization confirms what we say

You can certainly find all this information yourself, but I will help speed it up with a link:
http://www.who.int/leishmaniasis/resources/COSTA_RICA.pdf


A part I like (because it mirrors what we say): Access to [health] Care: The Costa Rican Social Security Fund, which is the agency responsible for the provision of health services, provides coverage for approximately 90% of the population.

Another PDF from WHO clarifies:

Ninety percent of the population belongs to this health insurance system and the remaining 10%

can use it if necessary for emergency services.

THIS is why we can do what we do. The healthcare costs in Costa Rica have been forced to be extremely low, set by the government. The above WHO reports also confirm how stable and safe it is to travel in Costa Rica.

Dental Package - a starting point

I have been realizing that our customers want a set price, before even looking at the dental prices. We listened. Once we have the starting point "on the table" we can just go from there!

Before and aside from actual dental work, our base* package includes:
6 days/ 5 nights at a quality hotel
Breakfast each day
One day tour with lunch
One dental/oral exam and cleaning and consultation
One panoramic x-ray
Shuttle from airport to hotel

One person: $720, plus guest**: $820

*Our base package is a limited time offer at our lowest group rates.
**If traveling with a guest, the guest may buy tourism and dental services for additional charges.

These prices do not include the airline ticket nor any other incidental expenses. But airline tickets can be as cheap as $300 a person.

Wow! TIME's high medical costs article covered on NPR

Not long ago, TIME magazine ran a whole issue about the high costs of healthcare. Well, a very long cover story, anyway. Today, NPR's Diane Rehm's show featured a discussion of the same topics with the journalist who wrote the article.

http://thedianerehmshow.org/audio-player?nid=17377
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-02-27/us-health-care-costs

Something amazing I've learned is what he has learned since writing the article.

People have been disgusted with costs of healthcare for a long time, but recently is has gotten so much worse that "disgusted" barely scratches the surface.

His argument seems to be that the high costs are mostly because we have a market where the buyer (us) has no power. He uses the term "unwilling participant" for citizens like us. "Rampant profiteering" by healthcare providers is another term of his that I thought apt.

He argues that medicare is one of the few ways healthcare costs are regulated, and he think they do "a pretty good job" setting prices at livable rates. He points out (and this was news to me) that the congressional discussions about healthcare (often called Obamacare) do not address the reasons behind the high costs, simply try to increase the payouts the government (and thus taxpayer) makes.

The journalist makes an excellent point that the healthcare lobbyists in Washington make profit capping extremely difficult. Virtually no other countries do not have our problems.

Proud to be listed by Costa Rican tourism

To continue our earlier demonstrations of our business contacts, helping solidify ourselves as a legitimate business, please consider these links to Costa Rican tourism in Costa Rica itself.

PROMED lists us officially in a category reserved for overseas companies in their network of quality providers.
http://www.promedcostarica.com/certification/certified-companies/

The Costa Rican Board of Tourism has also certified us.
http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/specialist_finder.asp
(This website requires a bit of searching, use date 10/19/2012)

We are proud to offer travel planning for simple tourism for our guests, or perhaps tourism for a non-medical companion who accompanies a traveller. With the savings to be had for medical and dental, suddenly these luxuries are a very real possibility.

A listed business by State of North Carolina - check us!

We are a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), a fancy way of saying a small business with corporation-like structure. We get a lot of people who think we are too good to be true, so please feel free to check up on us.

http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=10076709

Not every travel agency has our credentials, which include Costa Rican certifications and other travel certificates. I am proud of what we can say for ourselves.

If you ever travel abroad for healthcare, please oh please check on the credentials of who you are paying for services. Anything negative you hear is usually because a traveler accidentally chose some companies or doctors that didn't deliver what they advertised. That can happen in the U.S. or anywhere else. DentaRica wants to be your "safety net" in these difficult choices. DentaRica gives you the services you need to have feel confident in your medical tourism. Our reliability and personal knowledge are very important when our travelers are having a "fish out of water" experience in a foreign country. We are here to help.

CNN video report: who profits from your hospital bills?

Today, I saw a video report on CNN.com which continues their excellent coverage of the tragic status of American healthcare costs. I think it's worth watching for practically anyone.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/health/2013/02/22/ac-kth-griffin-high-cost-of-health-care-part-2.cnn

This video report is part of an ongoing number of reports on healthcare costs. This one addresses hospital cost, particularly. Although the issue of medical tourism is not mentioned, it is certainly relevant.

For the average U.S. citizen, the situation may seem almost hopeless. I am proud that I can be here to offer my help and the help of DentaRica. Simply said, we don't do all that much in terms of health. The most important thing we do is arrange for the attention of good doctors and dentists, and/or a stay in a good hosptial. That's the most important thing, wherever the healthcare takes place. As everyone already knows, a bad doctor, whether U.S. or foreign, is a recipe for disaster. How does DentaRica make sure the doctors and hospitals are good? We research their reputation, credentials, actual patient experiences, and actual performance. Many of these doctors are certified by the American Medical Association, and dentists likewise through the American Dental Association. In Costa Rica, my company is part of a network of quality insurance that requires members to maintain high standards and international accreditation.

That's usually not enough, however. Once you have a good doctor, a person's healthcare will drastically improve when he or she can afford all of what they need. And when we put those two advantages together, throw in some travel assistance and advice about local situations, and you have what DentaRica offers, in a nut shell.

TIME magazine: Have you faced healthcare cost nightmares?

You know, some things about my job are really, really easy. I don't have to convince anyone that medical and dental prices are a tragedy in this country, and are getting worse all the time.

Sometimes people I talk to are lucky enough to have no health problems themselves, plenty of money,  exceptionally good insurance, or are family friends with a local doctor or dentist. Most average Americans are not that lucky.

Today, the newest issue of TIME magazine had an excellent cover story focusing on the impossible prices of healthcare, and I wanted to give you a link to it: http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/?hpt=hp_c1. "Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us" is a very apt title.

It takes work to convince people that medical tourism to Costa Rica can be a safe and quality alternative, and it then takes more work to convince them that our company (DentaRica) offers the best way for them to be the happiest with their experience (through our commitment to having quality partners).

The above article I link to does not mention medical tourism specifically, but it does mention one or two international tidbits:
"According to one of a series of exhaustive studies done by the McKinsey & Co. consulting firm, we spend more on health care than the next 10 biggest spenders combined: Japan, Germany, France, China, the U.K., Italy, Canada, Brazil, Spain and Australia. We may be shocked at the $60 billion price tag for cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy. We spent almost that much last week on health care. We spend more every year on artificial knees and hips than what Hollywood collects at the box office. "

Our partners in Costa Rica accept Blue Cross insurance!

We have found that Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance is accepted for medical tourism, as demonstrated by their on website, www.bluecardworldwide.com.

Not all doctors and dentists in Costa Rica accept Blue Cross (or any other given U.S. insurance), but for our customers we specialize in finding the right healthcare for their needs. That might be scheduling needs, or price, or specific credentials.

This same idea applied to all insurance and all locations, depending mostly on your provider.

Just imagine: your insurance policy dollars go so much further in Costa Rica. Just LOOK at the prices* : (*Prices variable by doctor or dentist)
                            USA prices                   Costa Rica prices
Facelift                $7000 to $9000             $4600 to $5000
Tummy tuck        $6000 to $8500            $3900 to $4200
Breast Augm       $5000 to $8000             $2700 to $2900
Lapraroscopic Gastroplasty    
                            $30,000+                       $10,500

Bridges                $1000+ per tooth          $250 to $400

Crowns                $1000+ per tooth           $250 to $400

Implants                $3500+ each                $700 to $900

We're talking thousand of dollars of savings for people who want that much work done. $5000 of savings can make someone's life much easier, maybe even help them get what they thought was out of reach.

 We realize many people don't live in North Carolina, and many more don't have health insurance of whatever company. But for those people who do, what an advantage!

But beware: just getting a bargain is not enough. Our company, DentaRica, provides you with a comfort level that can't be found with many other travel agencies. I talk about that here.

Can you trust American doctors? the medical establishment?

This broadcast was on NPR not too long ago, and was such an excellent topic I wanted to post it on my blog:
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/11/27/prostate-cancer-profits

I really do think you can trust most doctors and dentists. However, when your health (or maybe life) is on the line, are you sure most is good enough?

Please ask yourself the simple, honest question: can you trust your doctors and other representatives of healthcare to privide you the best care, even if it is less profitable for them? All of us would hope so, but I have my doubts, especially when it comes to big businesses and corporations. I myself have little confidence in the morality of corporations, even if many of their workers have good intentions.

The above radio broadcast, featuring the National Public Radio show Here and Now, is more specific in discussing the treatments of prostate cancer, and some doctors and health providers recently exposed for their sins. But the discussion goes further, to talk about how widespread these sins were are. Only the worst offenders have been revealed as criminals. And this is just one disease! The discussion went on to take a hard look at the healthcare system in the United States.

Common experience tells us that sometimes a simple home remedy, vitamins, or even a little patience may be as effective as an expensive pharmacautical. Sometimes a cheaper alternate persription is also just as effective. But no harm done, right? Just a little more money taken from you. (Unless someone has a limited income, and have to suffer economically at the least). But in other cases, like those described in the radio show, the expensive treatment is chosen over the more effective one, solely because the many arms of healthcare make profits. Meanwhile, the patient may suffer more than is necessary. In the worst case, a profitable treatment may even be more harmful.

Since times long forgotten, healthworkers have been in a position to misuse their position of trust for personal gain, especially in terms of wealth. This is nothing new.

How can a person escape this evil cycle? Medical toursim planned well can give you an answer. Our company, DentaRica, is not glad this sad situation exists in the United States, but we want to help people improve their health by affording more healthcare than they would otherwise.

　

about DentaRica, LLC

DentaRica provides medical tourism (and dental tourism) of a better kind. Our customers can save overall costs in the thousands of dollars, even after international flights and luxury hotels. Our personalized attention and commitment to service includes being along in person when our guests are travelling. Our personal recommendations make everything about these trips easier. The company is owned and operated in the United States, but is also on the ground in Costa Rica when needed by their guests. We are certified by PROMED, an official Costa Rican regulatory body which requires high standards. Out website is www.dentarica.com

Article: U.S. helps Costa Rica fight branch of drug war

DentaRica cannot vouch for the content of any link, but I liked this news article, and I thought you might also.:

http://news.yahoo.com/costa-rica-toughens-stance-drug-fight-194813525.html

I really liked this part, because it repeats what I have been saying:
"In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its army, plowing money into education, social benefits and environmental preservation."

I also loved this part, for the same reason:
"Crime levels here are among the lowest in the region, but many Costa Ricans fear even the slightest possibility that their country could become more like Mexico, Guatemala or Honduras..."

And that's in an article with nothing to do with healthcare!

The articles goes on to say: "As a result, Costa Rican officials say, the country whose laidback national slogan is "pura vida" — pure life — is poorly equipped to battle ruthless and well-equipped Mexican drug cartels. To assist, the U.S. is patrolling Costa Rica's skies and waters while also providing millions of dollars in training and equipment. The Costa Rican government, in turn, has launched a tough line on crime backed by a top-to-bottom transformation of its law-enforcement and justice systems."

This demonstrates quite well how pleasant and friendly the Costa Ricans are while also very progressive.

Check out our Manta.com profile!

DentaRica is on Manta.com! (And I am, too)

http://www.manta.com/m/kjordan

Manta.com is a premiere searchable database of international small businesses that are verified and legitimate. If you aren't on Manta, your business isn't taken seriously.

It has profiles of the businesses by their owners.

Manta is known as the "largest online community dedicated entirely to small business." It has millions of companies, and was trusted by our Costa Rican business partners when they went to verify our business standing. And we are glad they did, because it shows their concern for only dealing with legitimate businesses.

Why not all medical and dental tourism is the same

Other countires have medical tourism, but I think Costa Rica offers the very best. I eliminated out all the other options for my medical tourism company that most other medical tourism facilitators offer, such as India, Indonesia or Mexico. Cheaper is not always better, and travel to some places is downright hazardous for Americans. I always feel safe in Costa Rica, and the doctors I partner with are very warm and friendly.   In quality of healthcare, they're rated as high as the U.S., sometimes higher. You see, Costa Rica is much different than other Latin American countries. They disbanded their military, and took all that money and put it into national healthcare. That's why their costs are so low. Some countries have low cost, because they have low quality, but not in Costa Rica. Even Rush Limbaugh praised Costa Rica medical care on his radio show:  http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2010/0311/Why-Rush-Limbaugh-would-go-to-Costa-Rica-if-Obama-s-healthcare-plan-passes/(page)2

If you travel abroad for healthcare, please make sure you use a facilitator that is competent and interested in the outcome for your elected procedure or treatment, and who is well acquainted with travel in that country and in the area of your hospital or clinic. Using a company located in the USA gives you peace of mind if those agents travel frequently with customers. I strive for customer satisfaction, and take a personal interest in each patient.  I spend up to 50% of my time assisting patients in Costa Rica, and the remainder of my time here with staff assisting customers. I don't always recommend the cheapest doctor or clinic, if I know the outcome may not be as good for you.  I use the hotels that can best accommodate you within your budget, taking into account travel time to the hospital or clinic, convenience and safety for you. And the food... I love to tell people about my favorite places to eat, usually a Tico mom and pop cafe nestled away out of the mainstream.  Everything about medical and dental travel is out of the mainstream,  thinking outside of the box, and it isn't for everyone, but if you choose DentaRica Travel  to meet your needs, your experience should be a positive one.  I can be contacted at kathy@dentarica.com