Health insurance through theAmerican Legion?

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  • #172647
    Versatile
    Member

    Haven’t heard anyone mention this? is this true? I have no idea.

    “Lots of benefits in Costa Rica for US citizens.

    Just one being health insurance. For $299 a year,(maybe a little more now) you get complete coverage for anything and I mean anything all the way to brain surgery.

    This was available through the American Legion in Escazu, a gringo suburb of San Jose.”

    #172648
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    It would appear that the American Legion website is here

    [ http://amlegioncr10.com/ ]

    The Contact page is at:

    [ http://amlegioncr10.com/Contact_Webmaster.html ]

    Financial & Insurance benefits associated with joining the organization can be found at:

    [ http://www.legion.org/benefits/financial ]

    Lastly, saying that Escazu is “a gringo suburb of San Jose” is plain silly…

    I would be surprised if Gringos make up even 10% of the population of Escazu ..

    Scott

    #172649
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Well, I followed the links Scott posted and I didn’t find anything that related to medical insurance. If someone else finds something, please post it here.

    #172650
    Versatile
    Member

    Not much there and not sure if it will work in CR.

    http://www.legion.org/benefits/medical

    #172651
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Perhaps someone could use that old fashioned device known as the T-E-L-E-P-H-O-N-E to establish exactly what services they provide?

    Scott

    #172652
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    Yeah, I found that page, too, but it doesn’t address anything about general medical care. Prescriptions, vision, screenings . . . Those are not what I need coverage for.

    Thanks for checking, though.

    #172653
    raggedjack
    Member

    [quote=”Scott”]Perhaps someone could use that old fashioned device known as the T-E-L-E-P-H-O-N-E to establish exactly what services they provide?

    Scott
    [/quote]

    Now, why do that when I can receive multiple random answers from people I don’t know?? Then I can pick the one I like the sound of the best! 😉

    #172654
    Versatile
    Member

    http://amlegioncr10.com/Medical.html#anchor_124

    http://amlegioncr10.com/Medical.html#anchor_128

    http://amlegioncr10.com/Medical.html#anchor_129

    http://amlegioncr10.com/Medical.html#anchor_305
    FAQ’s
    HOSPITAL METROPOLITANO
    Hospital Hotel La Católica
    Hospital Clinica Biblica
    HOSPITAL CIMA
    DOCTORS…
    FUTURE…
    Clinica Biblica Hospital is the largest and most prestigious private hospital in Costa Rica with over 200 skilled physicians performing a wide variety of medical procedures daily, with a majority of the physicians being board certified and with an English speaking coordinator and staff. They are affiliated with the Ochsner Medical Institutions located in New Orleans, Louisiana as well as Mount Sinai, Florida and Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans. The Hospital has many years of experience serving a large international community of ex-patriots as well as an ever-growing number of tourists. Over 20% of the people who visit the hospital are foreigners.

    They anticipate your particular needs and concerns, allowing you to concentrate more fully on your recovery. Their range of health amenities, availability of staff and personalized health care service will assure you a unique experience at a fraction of the cost compared to most countries. The staff is always on hand at the to greet and brief you, as well as to accompany you to appointments and make sure that all your needs are taken care of. Depending on your particular condition and needs, you may be treated on an outpatient basis (your evaluation, tests and treatments are done in the Hospital and then you return to your lodging at the end of the day); or you may require hospitalization.
    Hospital CIMA San José is located just outside of the capital in Escazú. CIMA was the first hospital certified by the Ministry of Health in Costa Rica. In 1999, The President of Costa Rica Dr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez inaugurated CIMA San Jose Hospital before it began operations at the end of the first quarter of 2000. This three-story hospital’s first level includes a large outpatient medical department, with a variety of advanced diagnostic and treatment services including chemotherapy and hemodialysis; a radiology department; an emergency department with a trauma room treatment stations, private exam and consultation rooms; a fully equipped modern surgery department and recovery;
    medical & surgical patient units; intensive care and a neonatal ICU. The patient rooms, labor and delivery are located on the second level. Most patient rooms are private, seven have adjoining suites. The labor & delivery department provides full fetal & maternity monitoring, ICU and the normal nursery. Adjacent to the hospital is a 7-story medical office building housing physical therapy, plastic surgery, spa, retail services, private physician offices, a 100-seat auditorium, conference area and medical library.

    CIMA San José provides a full range of diagnostic, imaging, emergency and surgical services. The 24-hour staffed ER has a high tech trauma area and in and out patient operating rooms. CiIMAis part of a hospital group, Consorcio Internacional Hospital, S.A, and affiliated with the International Hospital Corporation in Dallas, TX. English is a bit more common and the hospital itself looks and feels like a US hospital.
    ?Hospital Hotel La Catolica is located in the city of San Jose just 45 minutes away from the International Juan Santa Maria Airport and is known for working under the highest quality and safety standards to deliver the best service to their patients.

    Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, is a treatment available only to advanced medical centers and is administered in a special chamber where the patient breathes pure oxygen at an elevated pressure with the purpose of healing or treating some ailments. The hospital has an exclusive oxygenation system, one of its kind in the county, with three Hyperbaric Chambers.

    La Catolica is the only hospital in Costa Rica with a colonial style hotel with relaxing and welcoming facilities inside the Hospital building. This transforms the hospitalization time into a nice comfortable experience providing maximum satisfaction to both the patient and their companion. During your stay at the Hotel La Posada El Convento the patient will be able to enjoy the availability of medical attention and delicious meals under the supervision of a nutritionist. The hotel offers 34 Rooms with the utmost comfort for a better recovery and a pleasant stay for the guests. It also has a modern spa and physical therapy area. More than being at a hospital the patient will be staying at a real hotel with all the amenities for a faster and more pleasant recovery.
    Located in the heart of San José, Hospital Metropolitano is the best alternative for all health needs.

    Our mission: The Hospital Metropolitano is a medical center founded with Costa Rican funds, we offer many quality hospital services at reasonable rates.

    Our vision: The Hospital Metropolitano will be the main choice for physicians, businesses, insurance companies and patients leading affordable health care in Costa Rica, because of the security towards patients, quality and accessibility of our services.

    The combination of high technology, professional ethics, affordable rates and human resources dedicated to our patients guarantees high quality diagnostics and treatments.

    The Hospital Metropolitano provides outpatient care, medical imaging, clinical laboratory, pharmacy, gastrointestinal endoscopy, surgery and hospitalization.
    See Their Website…
    See FAQs…
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    See What National Has To Say…
    See What National Has To Say…
    See What National Has To Say…
    Veterans Healthcare…
    TRICARE
    See FAQs…
    See FAQs…
    TRICARE is the health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide. As a major component of the Military Health System, TRICARE brings together the health care resources of the uniformed services and supplements them with networks of civilian health care professionals, institutions, pharmacies and suppliers to provide access to high-quality health care services while maintaining the capability to support military operations.

    To be eligible for TRICARE benefits, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. TRICARE offers several health plan options to meet the needs of it’s beneficiary population. Additionally, TRICARE offers two dental plans and several additional special programs.

    The TRICARE office at the Cheyenne VAMC is located on the first floor in Room C1-3. They may also be contacted by telephone at (307)778-7550 ext 7298 or toll-free at1-888-483-9127 ext 7298. For more information about TRICARE, please visit their website.

    The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by Health Administration Center and our offices are located in Denver, Colorado.

    Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program (sometimes referred to by its old name, CHAMPUS) the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program whereas TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases a veterans may look to be eligible for both/either program on paper. However, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary, you can´t choose between the two.

    To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE/CHAMPUS and you must be in one of these categories:
    1. The spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office, or
    2. The surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service connected disability, or
    3. The surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was at the time death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service connected disability, or
    4. The surviving spouse or child of a military member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, these family members are eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).

    An eligible CHAMPVA sponsor may be entitled to receive medical care through the VA health care system based on his or her own veteran status. Additionally, as the result of a recent policy change, if the eligible CHAMPVA sponsor is the spouse of another eligible CHAMPVA sponsor, both may now be eligible for CHAMPVA benefits. In each instance where the eligible spouse requires medical attention, he or she may choose the VA health care system or coverage under CHAMPVA for his/her health care needs.

    For complete coverage information, check the ChampVA handbook by clicking the Champ logo above. The ChampVA office at the Cheyenne VAMC is located on the first floor in Room C1-3. They may also be contacted by telephone at 307-778-7550 ext 7298 or toll-free at1-888-483-9127 ext 7298.

    Costa Rica residents call: 0800-013-0759
    The Foreign Medical Program is a program we have established to provide health care benefits to U.S. veterans with VA-rated service-
    connected conditions who are residing or traveling abroad (Philippines excluded). Under FMP, we (the VA) assume payment responsibility for certain necessary medical services associated with the treatment of those service-connected conditions.

    This information we have posted on our website, and to which we have created links, are designed for veterans with VA-rated service-connected conditions who are planning to move or travel abroad and addresses the procedures for obtaining health care services for service-connected conditions while in a foreign country and how to file a claim for VA payment or reimbursement.

    With the exception of medical services received in Philippines, all foreign provided services are under the jurisdiction our Foreign Medical Program (FMP) Office in Denver, Colorado:

    VA Health Administration Center
    Foreign Medical Program
    PO Box 469061
    Denver, CO 80246-9061
    USA
    303-331-7590, Fax: 303-331-7803

    The FMP Office is responsible for all aspects of the program including application processing, verification of eligibility, authorization of benefits, and payment of claims. If you are a veteran living or traveling outside the United States and have questions about other VA benefits such as compensation and pension exams and disability ratings you should direct those questions to your servicing VA regional office. Or you can access the VBA’s Foreign Services website here.

    See Their Website…
    See Their Handbook…
    See Their Website…
    .
    See Accepted Insurance…
    See Veteran Contact…
    Accepted Veteran’s Insurance…
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    YOUR VETERAN CONNECTION…
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    YOUR VETERAN CONNECTION…
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    Accepted Veteran’s Insurance…
    YOUR VETERAN CONNECTION…
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    Accepted Veteran’s Insurance…
    YOUR VETERAN CONNECTION…
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    See Accepted Insurance…
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    See Veteran Contact…
    See Veteran Contact…
    See Veteran Contact…
    What is the Foreign Medical Program (FMP)
    The FMP is a program for Veterans who live or travel overseas. Under the FMP, the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay the VA allowable amount for a service connected disability.

    How do I enroll in the FMP?
    Enrolling in the FMP is simple. Send your name, SSN, VA claim number, physical and mailing addresses to the HAC at P.O. Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061. We will confirm your service-connected disabilities and send you a benefits authorization letter, which outlines the medical conditions we cover.

    How do I find a provider who will accept FMP?
    You should check with co-workers or family for a referral. You may also check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate staff, or if there is a Department of Defense medical facility nearby, contact their TRICARE office.

    What do I need to do to get a claim paid?
    The FMP has a detailed fact sheet on this subject (Fact Sheet 01-17), and we recommend you request a copy. In general, submit a copy of the bill from the provider to the FMP office: HAC at P.O. Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061. Please note, that, by Federal law, the FMP cannot pay for prescription medication that is not FDA approved. The FMP does not maintain a list of FDA approved drugs. If you have any doubt about the medication your doctor prescribes, you might check the FDA web site at http://www.fda.gov.

    Do Veterans have to work through the US Embassy or Consulate staff to use the FMP?
    No, while the Embassy and Consulate staff can be very helpful, claims for payment should be sent directly to the HAC.

    Do I need approvals for referrals to specialists or for diagnostic tests?
    No, referrals for Veterans should be made as required.

    What happens if I live overseas and the VA directs me to take a physical exam?
    As directed, you should obtain the physical examination. Submit a claim with a copy of the VA form 2507 for payment to the Health Administration Center (HAC), PO Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061.

    How do I get more information?
    • Check out our web site at http://www.va.gov/hac, select Foreign Medical Program
    • Write us at PO Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061
    • To contact us by email, please go to this web link and follow the directions for submitting secure email: http://www.va.gov/hac/contact
    • Call 303-331-7590, Monday-Friday
    See What National Has To Say…
    The United States veterans have an office in the lobby. CIMA Hospital in San Jose is the only hospital in Central America that is
    accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is a special international insurance claims department with a staff to assist Americans.

    Name: Mr. Rocio Montes García

    Title/Position: Insurance Department Head

    Mailing Address: Hospital CIMA, 500 East from Multiplaza Escazu

    Phone: 2208-1056

    eMail: rmontes@hospitalcima.com
    Name: Ofelia Ramirez

    Title/Position: Coordinadora de Seguros Internacionales

    Mailing Address: 300 m sur del Hospital San Juan de Dios

    Cell: 8754-3958
    Phone: 2222-4411 x-2243
    Fax: 2222-4414

    eMail: ofelia.ramirez@hospitalmetropolitano.co.cr
    Name: X

    #172655
    DavidCMurray
    Participant

    All of this appears to relate only to medical care plans that provide for the needs of either retired service members or ones with a service-connected disability.

    I’m an honorably discharged Navy veteran without a service-connected disability. I don’t see anything here for me. Or am I missing something?

    #172656
    Versatile
    Member

    David, I think you are right. Hopefully in the future the info can help someone. Certainly shows that there are lot’s of incorrect info out in this world.

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