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Expat Exchange - Health Care in Montezuma 2024
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Montezuma, Costa Rica


Health Care in Montezuma

By Betsy Burlingame

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Summary: Learn about the health system in Montezuma: how it can and cannot be used by expats, nomads, retirees and others moving to and living in Montezuma.

Montezuma has a public and private healthcare system. The public healthcare system is called the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, or CCSS). It is used by both locals and foreigners, including expats and digital nomads. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Montezuma for minor medical emergencies and minor surgeries. Public hospitals in Montezuma are generally clean and well-equipped, but the wait times can be long. Expats and digital nomads are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Costa Rica, but many opt to use private hospitals for more serious medical emergencies and major surgeries. Private hospitals in Montezuma are generally more modern and have shorter wait times, but they can be more expensive.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Montezuma

There are several recommended clinics and hospitals in Montezuma for expats and digital nomads. These include the Montezuma Medical Center (private), located in the center of town, which specializes in general medicine; the Montezuma Clinic (private), located in the center of town, which specializes in general medicine; and the Montezuma Hospital (public), located on the outskirts of town, which specializes in emergency care. If there are few or no hospitals in Montezuma, expats in Montezuma typically go to the nearest major city for specialized medical care and for surgeries. For example, the nearest major city is San Jose, which is approximately a three-hour drive from Montezuma.

Emergency Services in Montezuma

Montezuma does have ambulance services. To call for an ambulance, you can dial 911 or contact the local police station. Ambulances usually come quickly, but there can be delays depending on the situation.

Health Insurance Companies in Montezuma

The most popular private health insurers in Montezuma are Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Cigna. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, although there are also specialized expat health insurance providers.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Montezuma, Costa Rica

SJB Global
SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB GlobalSJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

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Cigna Global Health
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