MAIN AREAS OF SUPPORT NEEDED
The currency value amplifies your donation, allowing us to have a greater impact in the lives of the veterans we serve. To date we are serving 300 veterans; however, there are 15,000 veterans that still needing medical support in Costa Rica.
MEDICATION
Medicine can be double the cost in Costa Rica compared to surrounding areas, requiring veterans to have to travel to other countries more than 8 hours each way to get their needed medications, or they have to exhaust a large portion of their monthly budget on medication, leaving little for other needs.
The range of medication for veterans is $500 – $750 a month
SURGERY
Oftentimes there are surgeries that are commonplace in the United States, but hard to get in Costa Rica.
On average 1 out of 2 veterans have medical needs that require surgery. The average cost of Emergency Transportation, Emergency Surgery and Emergency Hospitalization for our veterans range from $25,000 – $50,000 in Costa Rica, which is equivalent to $150,000 – $300,000 in The United States.
Costa Rica has public and private Hospitals, Veterans are often on a waitlist for a year or more waiting to receive life saving procedures. Privately owned Hospitals can meet their needs almost immediately.
COUNSELING/ PSYCHOTHERAPY:
Out of 300 veterans that we have served in Costa Rica, 90 % see a Counselor for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, and Substance Abuse. In addition, 2% of our veterans have expressed suicidal thoughts. Through USDVA’s interventions we are able to help the veterans through these thoughts helping them create a plan for better mental health.
USDVA offers home visits, skype sections which allow veterans connect when needed. In addition, we provided psychotherapy for veterans to access. Each Veteran needs at least two Psychotherapy sections a month. The average cost of a counseling visit is between $ 375 – $ 750, and Psychotherapy ranges from $100 – $450.
MAKE A MONTHLY DONATION TO SUPPORT A VETERAN IN NEED
EXAMPLES OF CONVERSION COST
Examples Medical Needs USDVA Supports
Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
Knee Replacement Surgery
Ischemic Heart Disease Surgery (Two Stents Application)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 12 Sessions
Average Cost In Costa Rica
$60,000K
$45,000
$110,000
$ 5,000
USA Equivalent Cost
$150,000
$120,000
$ 300,000
$ 12,000 – $ 20,000
Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery
Average Cost In Costa Rica
$60,000K
USA Equivalent Cost
$150,000
Knee Replacement Surgery
Average Cost In Costa Rica
$45,000
USA Equivalent Cost
$120,000
Ischemic Heart Disease Surgery (Two Stents Application)
Average Cost In Costa Rica
$110,000
USA Equivalent Cost
$ 300,000
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 12 Sessions
Average Cost In Costa Rica
$ 5,000
USA Equivalent Cost
$ 12,000 – $ 20,000
Other Medical Needs USDVA Supports
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Physical Therapy
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Pain Management
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Cancer Screenings
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Durable Medical Equipment
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Eye Care
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Dental Care
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Referrals to VA Hospitals in USA for Surgical Procedures
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MRIs
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CAT Scan
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X Rays
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Ultrasound Test
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Laboratories Testings
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Cardiological Testings