Costa Rica public healthcare system capacity issues

Costa Rica’s public health system, managed by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), has faced significant medical backlogs and resource shortages. As of September 2026, while the CCSS reported that average surgery wait times had decreased by 86 days compared to April 2023, patients still faced an average wait of 449 days. Specific fields, such as outpatient orthopedics, reported even longer delays of 769 days. Additionally, the system has struggled with acute bed shortages, with some patients reportedly waiting up to eight days for hospital admission and being forced to wait in emergency departments on chairs, sofas, or floors.

In response to these challenges, the Costa Rican Chamber of Health has offered to assist the CCSS by utilizing private sector infrastructure. The Chamber, led by president Rodolfo Garbanzo, stated that its facilities include 380 beds and 61 operating rooms available to help manage consultations, exams, and surgeries. Discussions are currently underway with the CCSS and the Ministry of Health regarding costs and efficiency models. This potential collaboration follows regulatory changes that may require the CCSS to outsource services if patient waiting times exceed certain limits.