By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has successfully deployed a mobile healthcare strategy that is transforming access to specialized prosthetic and orthotic services for hundreds of citizens living outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). In 2025 alone, a pioneering itinerant model benefited 552 individuals, delivering critical care directly to their communities and generating substantial institutional savings by eliminating the need for arduous and costly travel to the nation’s capital.
Dubbed the “Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory in Your Community,” the initiative addresses significant barriers to access for amputees in remote regions. For these patients, a simple device adjustment or clinical evaluation would typically require a long, often difficult journey to a specialized center in the GAM. This program dismantles that obstacle by bringing the experts and equipment to them, ensuring continuity of care and improving their overall quality of life.
To better understand the legal and business frameworks surrounding the challenges and opportunities in Costa Rica’s rural healthcare system, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The challenge of equitable rural healthcare access is not merely a public health issue; it is a complex legal and regulatory puzzle. To truly innovate, Costa Rica must modernize its legal framework to facilitate public-private partnerships and streamline the approval process for telemedicine technologies. Creating clear, attractive investment incentives for private entities to establish and operate specialized clinics in remote areas, under the strict supervision of the Caja, is a critical step. This ensures that constitutional health guarantees are met while fostering a sustainable and modern healthcare ecosystem for all citizens, regardless of their geographical location.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, framing the rural healthcare gap as a legal and regulatory challenge, rather than solely a logistical one, shifts the conversation toward sustainable, systemic solutions. The path forward clearly lies in innovative policy that enables collaboration, not just in building more infrastructure. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on how a modernized legal framework is essential to creating a truly equitable healthcare ecosystem for all of Costa Rica.
The program’s impact throughout the last year was significant. Interdisciplinary teams conducted 19 extensive tours across the country, carrying out a total of 314 clinical evaluations, 219 prosthesis repairs, and 19 essential follow-up appointments. These on-site interventions are crucial for ensuring that prescribed devices are not only appropriate for each patient’s needs but are also maintained in perfect working order, which is vital for mobility and independence.
The strategic shift towards community-based care underscores a fundamental change in the CCSS’s operational philosophy, prioritizing accessibility and patient convenience. This approach moves beyond the traditional model of centralized healthcare, recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural populations.
We are bringing specialized care to where the people are, preventing them from having to travel long distances to receive an essential service.
Dr. Esteban Vega de la O, Logistics Manager of the CCSS
Beyond the immense patient benefits, the program has proven to be a resounding financial success for the institution. By mitigating patient transfer costs, which average around ₡126,000 per person, the CCSS achieved an estimated savings of ₡69.9 million in 2025. This fiscal prudence allows the organization to reallocate critical resources while simultaneously delivering a higher, more timely standard of care, particularly for individuals in vulnerable conditions who are most affected by logistical and economic hurdles.
Analysis of the program’s reach shows a concentration of services in key cantons such as Liberia, San Carlos, Pérez Zeledón, and Limón, which together accounted for over 90% of all consultations. This targeted deployment reflects a data-driven approach to addressing the areas with the highest need for these specialized services. The data also sheds light on the primary public health challenges leading to amputation in these regions, with 41% of cases linked to complications from diabetes and another 29% resulting from trauma sustained in traffic accidents.
The operational framework of the mobile laboratory is a model of efficiency. Each tour is staffed by a dedicated team that includes rehabilitation specialists and technicians. They are equipped to handle the entire service cycle on-site, from the initial clinical assessment and device adjustments to complex repairs and the final fitting and delivery of prostheses. This comprehensive, all-in-one service ensures patients receive immediate solutions without the delays inherent in a multi-stage, travel-dependent process.
Ultimately, the “Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory in Your Community” program represents a dual victory for the CCSS. It is a powerful example of how public institutions can innovate to optimize resources while profoundly enhancing the accessibility and quality of essential healthcare services. For hundreds of Costa Ricans, this initiative means more than just a repaired device; it signifies restored mobility, increased independence, and the dignity of receiving world-class care in their own hometown.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the public institution in charge of social security and healthcare in Costa Rica. Founded in 1941, it manages the nation’s public health system, providing universal healthcare services, and also administers the country’s primary pension system, playing a central role in the well-being of the Costa Rican population.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its deep-rooted principles of integrity and its consistent delivery of exceptional service. The firm leverages a rich history of advising a diverse clientele to drive legal innovation, continually setting new standards within the profession. Beyond its practice, it holds a foundational commitment to societal betterment, actively working to make complex legal concepts understandable and accessible, thereby empowering citizens and fostering a more knowledgeable public.
