Top 10 Insurance Companies in Costa Rica for Expats
Expatriates living abroad in Costa Rica can secure top-quality health insurance through Cigna, Bupa, Allianz, AXA, April International, VUMI, and others. These insurance companies offer comprehensive medical coverage in customizable health plans. You select the level of coverage you want and need.
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Are you living abroad in Costa Rica, or soon will be, and need to find health insurance for your travels? Are you an expat who travels often and needs coverage in and around Costa Rica?
This article will introduce you to the top 10 international health insurance providers and their medical plans. We’ll also introduce you to some of the top travel insurance providers in Costa Rica if you’re looking for short-term travel coverage.
You won’t want to miss our webpage all about health insurance in Costa Rica for expats and what their healthcare system is like. As you read on, please reach out to our insurance experts to seek answers for your individual questions and situation.
Best Costa Rica Health Insurance Providers for Expats
The top 10 companies that provide international health insurance for expats are:
- Cigna
- Bupa
- Allianz
- AXA
- April International
- VUMI
- NOW Health International
- GeoBlue
- IMG
- William Russell
These providers are not listed in any particular order; rather, each offers spectacular coverage packages that allow expats to travel with peace of mind. Let’s explore each company a little deeper.
Please note that all monetary values in this article are in USD.
1. Cigna for Expats in Costa Rica
Cigna Global is a widely known global health insurance provider, and they offer top-tier coverage for expats living in Costa Rica. Cigna offers four plans: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care, and each plan includes worldwide coverage, inpatient care, mental health care, cancer care, and more.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each Cigna plan.
Cigna Global Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
| Plan | Annual Benefit Limit |
| Silver | $1,000,000 |
| Gold | $2,000,000 |
| Platinum | Unlimited |
| Close Care | $500,000 |
The Cigna Silver plan is designed to provide the core medical benefits expats need in Costa Rica. This includes coverage for inpatient and day patient care, palliative care, transplant services, mental and behavioral healthcare, and out-of-area emergency hospitalization care.
The Cigna Gold plan adds benefits for emergency treatments, advanced imaging, rehabilitation, home nursing, treatment for obesity, and congenital conditions, to name a few.
The Cigna Platinum plan provides full coverage for inpatient care, palliative care, transplant services, hospital accommodations for a parent or guardian, acupuncture, and much more.
2. Bupa in Costa Rica for Expatriates
Bupa Global is a top choice for expats in Costa Rica because it offers an extensive medical network, a wide range of benefit levels, and coverage for a limited number of children at no additional cost. Bupa offers the Major Medical, Select, Premier, and Elite plans.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each Bupa plan.
Bupa Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Major Medical | About $3,174,200 |
| Select | About $1,587,100 |
| Premier | About $2,380,600 |
| Elite | About $4,761,300 |
Bupa’s Major Medical plan is for expats who only want coverage for unexpected medical emergencies and major medical expenses. This plan covers medical evacuation and repatriation, but it does not cover wellness or routine checks.
Bupa Select is for expats who only want coverage regionally in Costa Rica instead of worldwide. This plan covers routine screenings, well checks, and medical evacuation.
Bupa Premier adds vaccinations, dental, and optical to the benefits of the Select plan.
Bupa Elite is the most comprehensive option available, and it covers medical evacuation, repatriation, complementary therapies, routine maternity care, and more.
3. Allianz for Expats in Costa Rica
Expats living in Costa Rica can get coverage through Allianz’s Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. Allianz is a leading insurance provider in the global industry for their family-friendly insurance solutions, efficient claims process, expat assistance program, expansive medical network, and more.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each Allianz plan.
Allianz Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Care | $2,500,000 |
| Care Plus | $4,000,000 |
| Care Pro | $5,000,000 |
The Allianz Care plan covers a semi-private hospital room, oncology, medical evacuation, nursing at home, rehabilitation, emergency outpatient care, and more.
The Allianz Care Plus plan covers a private hospital room, all the same benefits as the Care plan, and additional emergency dental care.
The Allianz Care Pro plan increases the benefit limits from the Care Plus plan and adds coverage for preventative surgery and laser eye treatment.
4. AXA Insurance for Costa Rica Expats
AXA Global is a superb choice for expats living in Costa Rica; they offer five core plans: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. AXA reimburses over 80% of claims within 48 hours, and they provide day or night virtual consultation with a doctor anywhere in the world.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each AXA plan.
AXA Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Foundation | $160,000 |
| Standard | $1,600,000 |
| Comprehensive | $2,400,000 |
| Prestige | $3,200,000 |
| Prestige Plus | $8,000,000 |
Foundation is just as it sounds – it offers the foundational core benefits any expat would want in Costa Rica. These include inpatient hospital charges, emergency care, medical evacuation and repatriation, ambulance transport, CT, PET, and MRI scans, and optional outpatient care.
Standard increases these benefit limits and adds dental care coverage.
Comprehensive adds benefits for outpatient care, chronic conditions, and vision care.
Prestige increases monetary limits for each previous plan and adds maternity and annual health check benefits.
Prestige Plus is the most advanced plan offered by AXA. It has the same benefits of Prestige but with the highest total annual limit of $8,000,000.
5. April International for Costa Rica Expats
April International is a reliable, experienced healthcare provider for expats in Costa Rica. Their plans include Emergency, Formule, Essential, Comfort, and Premium. Expats in Costa Rica like April for their paperless reimbursement Easy Claim app, free and unlimited telehealth, and affordable plans.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each April plan.
April International Plans – Annual Benefit Limits |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Emergency | About $268,300 |
| Formule Basic | About $536,600 |
| Essential | About $1,073,300 |
| Comfort | Unlimited |
| Premium | Unlimited |
The Emergency plan is for Costa Rica expats who only want coverage for accidents and emergencies treated in the hospital and medical repatriation.
The Formule Basic plan is for expats in Costa Rica seeking basic medical coverage. Benefits include hospitalization, medical repatriation, cancer care, and minimal outpatient and dental care.
The Essential plan offers expats full coverage for hospitalization, medical repatriation, coverage for cancer care, partial coverage for a private room, medium outpatient and dental care, and partial coverage for a natural delivery.
The Comfort plan offers high medical coverage benefits with an unlimited annual limit and the following benefits: hospitalization, repatriation, cancer care, full private room, high outpatient and dental coverage, and natural delivery up to about $6,000.
The Premium plan is April’s most elite plan. With unlimited annual limits, Premium provides full coverage for all the same benefits of Comfort but at higher amounts.
6. VUMI for Expats Living in Costa Rica
VUMI provides exceptional health, life, and travel insurance for expats living in Costa Rica. Their medical insurance plans are called Global Flex VIP Basic, Standard, Superior, Ultra, and Total. They also provide single trip and annual trip travel insurance plans for individuals and groups.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each VUMI health plan.
VUMI Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Global Flex VIP Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Basic | $3,000,000 |
| Standard | $3,500,000 |
| Superior | $4,000,000 |
| Ultra | $4,500,000 |
| Total | $5,000,000 |
Global Flex VIP Basic is for Costa Rica expats who only want to pay for the benefits they need. This plan has minimum healthcare coverage.
Global Flex VIP Standard is for expats in Costa Rica who want foundational medical benefits but still at an affordable price.
Global Flex VIP Superior is for expatriates who want a compromise between the most comprehensive coverage and the most basic. It includes maternity and optical care, but not dental.
Global Flex VIP Ultra is the second most comprehensive plan for Costa Rica expats. This plan adds dental care to the package with an increased annual limit for the other benefits.
Global Flex VIP Total covers maternity, dental, optical, therapy, palliative care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient care. This is the most advanced VUMI plan offered.
VUMI is also known for its stellar expat maternity insurance benefits that can be included in the Superior, Ultra, and Total plans. VUMI’s maternity benefits are rare because they have as low as a 12 month waiting period.
VUMI is also a favorite health insurance provider for expats in Costa Rica because declared pre-existing medical conditions may be covered in the Global Flex VIP plans.
7. NOW Health International for Expats in Costa Rica
NOW Health International provides budget-conscious expats in Costa Rica two package options they can choose from: SimpleCare and WorldCare. NOW Health is an excellent insurer who offers affordable options with worldwide coverage excluding the US and options to include the US.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each NOW Health plan.
NOW Health International Plans – Annual Benefit Limits |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| SimpleCare Core | $1,000,000 |
| SimpleCare 100 | $1,500,000 |
| SimpleCare 250 | $1,500,000 |
| WorldCare Essential | $3,000,000 |
| WorldCare Advance | $3,500,000 |
| WorldCare Excel | $4,000,000 |
| WorldCare Apex | $4,500,000 |
NOW Health’s SimpleCare plans Core, 100, and 250 are designed to help expats save money on premiums. These plans are intentionally subdivided to offer more flexibility so you can secure coverage for the benefits you want and not pay for the ones you don’t need.
SimpleCare plans cover day patient and outpatient surgeries and cancer treatment. They have limited coverage for inpatient and day patient care, organ transplants, evacuation and repatriation, and congenital disorders.
NOW Health’s WorldCare plans Essential, Advance, Excel, and Apex are designed to offer more comprehensive coverage but still at an affordable rate. These plans have an option for elective coverage in the U.S. and have co-pays to reduce premium costs.
WorldCare plans cover inpatient day patient care, organ transplant, evacuation and repatriation, pregnancy medical conditions, cancer treatment, and day patient and outpatient surgery. They have limited coverage for mortal remains, congenital disorders, and optional USA elective treatment.
8. GeoBlue Insurance for U.S. Expats in Costa Rica
GeoBlue is a fantastic choice for U.S. expats living in Costa Rica because they have flexible Xplorer options for coverage in Costa Rica, within the U.S., excluding the U.S., or any combination you need. Their Voyager and Trekker travel insurance plans work great for individuals and groups.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each GeoBlue plan.
GeoBlue Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Xplorer Essential | $1,000,000 |
| Xplorer Premier | Unlimited |
| Voyager | $50,000 Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Max Benefit |
| Trekker | $25,000 Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Max Benefit |
Xplorer Essential is best for expats who don’t need coverage in the U.S. while living abroad If you intend to return to the U.S. for short trips only, this plan has an optional U.S. coverage add-on.
Xplorer Premier is best for U.S. residents living out of the country for at least 3 months of the year and who want comprehensive coverage within the U.S. for up to 9 months of the year. Flexible options allow coverage in the U.S. and Costa Rica as you travel back and forth.
Voyager Choice is a medical travel insurance plan that covers individuals for a single trip up to 182 days. Voyager also has group options for 5 or more people with coverage for up to 6 months outside the U.S.
Trekker Choice is a medical travel insurance plan with multi-trip coverage for an unlimited number of trips in a year for the first 70 days of each trip. You must be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S. to qualify.
9. IMG Health Insurance in Costa Rica for Expatriates
IMG is a top-rated health insurance provider because it offers diverse products, exceptional member service, and insurance solutions for individuals, families, businesses, students, and more. Expats living in Costa Rica can choose health insurance from four coverage levels.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each IMG plan.
IMG Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Bronze | $1,000,000 |
| Silver | $5,000,000 |
| Gold | $5,000,000 |
| Platinum | $8,000,000 |
IMG’s Bronze plan offers basic health coverage with benefits for inpatient care surgeries, physical therapy, outpatient visits and surgeries, prescription drugs, emergency ambulance, and evacuation.
IMG’s Silver plan includes many of the same benefits as Bronze at an increased value.
IMG’s Gold plan fully covers many of the inpatient and outpatient benefits that Bronze and Silver only partially cover. It also includes an up-to-lifetime maximum for emergency evacuation.
IMG’s Platinum plan is the most comprehensive with the highest benefit amounts. It is also the only plan with maternity care, newborn care, congenital disorders, and newborn wellness coverage.
10. William Russell Coverage for Expats in Costa Rica
William Russell is a strong insurer for Costa Rica foreigners because they have enhanced member service, comprehensive benefits, and diverse insurance products. Their plans include Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, and Gold, and they have non-medical products like life insurance and income insurance.
Below is a summary of the annual benefit limits for each William Russell plan.
William Russell Plans – Annual Benefit Limits At-a-Glance |
|
|
Plan |
Annual Benefit Limit |
| Bronze | $1,500,000 million |
| SilverLite | $1,500,000 million |
| Silver | $2,500,000 million |
| Gold | $5,000,000 million |
All of William Russell’s plans include full coverage for hospital treatment, parent accommodation, and advanced diagnostic tests. Each also has varying coverage for inpatient, outpatient, emergency evacuation and repatriation, mental health treatment, and more.
Below is a detailed comparison of the hospital benefits breakdown.
The Bronze plan includes coverage for a semi-private room, full coverage for a local ambulance, and hospital cash up to $150 per night.
The SilverLite plan covers a semi-private room, up to $1,600 of a local ambulance, and up to $200 in hospital cash per night.
The Silver plan covers a private room, full coverage of a local ambulance, and up to $200 per night in hospital cash.
The Gold plan covers a private room, full coverage for a local ambulance, and up to $250 in hospital cash per night.
Why Expats Should Secure Insurance Through a Broker
It is a huge benefit for expats if they secure their insurance through a broker instead of from the insurance company directly. Working with a broker as an intermediary allows expats to get industry experienced advice from an expert without any of the pressure from a sales team to buy their product.
The reason this works is because brokers work for the insured and their focus is on helping to make you happy with what you get. An insurance agent works for an insurance company and want to convince you only their products are sufficient for your needs, even if they don’t work for you.
To learn more about why expats prefer getting insurance through a broker, you can chat with one of our insurance experts online or by calling +852-3113-1331.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top insurance options for expats in Costa Rica?
The top insurance options for expats in Costa Rica include the public healthcare system (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social or CCSS) and private health insurance providers. The CCSS offers coverage at affordable rates, though it may involve long wait times and language barriers.
How much does health insurance cost in Costa Rica for expats?
The cost of health insurance for expats in Costa Rica varies widely depending on the type of insurance and coverage chosen. Public health insurance through CCSS is based on income and can be very affordable, while private insurance plans range from $60 to $250 per month for coverage.
Can expats use their home country’s health insurance in Costa Rica?
Expats cannot use their home country’s health insurance in Costa Rica unless the policy includes international coverage. U.S. health insurance is not valid unless it explicitly covers international travel. It’s highly recommended for expats to get international health insurance while in Costa Rica.
Conclusion: Compare Quotes Now
We’ve now gone through a deep dive into the top 10 health insurance providers expats living in Costa Rica should check out. If you found this article helpful, you’ll also want to read our pages Health Insurance in Costa Rica: What to Expect and Covering Your Health Abroad: The Importance of Overseas Health Insurance.
To start comparing health insurance quotes for these top insurance companies, use our insurance quote generator. It is an obligation-free resource that allows you to compare insurance plans from dozens of different companies side by side.
It is an invaluable resource designed to simplify your insurance hunting process! If you have any questions, reach out to our team today!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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