Prepare for Your Evaluation and Understand the Steps Before Traveling
Seeking medical care outside Canada requires a clear understanding of the process: which records to provide, what assessment you need, and how recommendations will be determined for your case.
I am Dr. Andrés Morales. I provide neurosurgical care in Costa Rica for conditions affecting the brain, skull base, and spine. If you live in Canada, you can contact my office to learn how to begin your evaluation and which medical records may be helpful.
In-person care takes place in Costa Rica. Medical steps are determined individually.
Prepare the Records That Help Explain Your Diagnosis
If you have received care in Canada, previous reports and studies may provide useful information about your condition, treatment history, and progress.
When making your initial inquiry, mention whether you have:
A medical summary: your diagnosis, current symptoms, and how long you have had them.
Imaging studies: MRI or CT images, along with the radiology reports.
Treatment records: medications, procedures, and previous surgeries.
Additional clinical information: other relevant conditions and related test results.
You do not need to arrange new tests on your own before requesting information. The office will explain which records are relevant, how to submit them, and whether translations are required.
Care for Brain, Skull Base, and Spine Conditions
An evaluation helps determine whether your condition requires neurosurgical care and which options should be considered. Not every patient needs surgery.
Areas of care include brain tumors, skull base lesions, pituitary tumors, aneurysms, and other neurovascular conditions.
Evaluations are also available for herniated discs and other spinal conditions, as well as trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm.
Recommendations depend on your diagnosis, symptoms, available studies, and clinical assessment.
From Your Initial Inquiry to Planning Your Care
1. Contact the Office from Canada
Explain why you are seeking care and mention the studies and medical records you have available.
2. Receive Guidance on the Evaluation Process
The office will explain the next steps and whether an in-person consultation or further assessment is needed. Submitting records does not confirm that you are a candidate for surgery.
3. Coordinate Care in Costa Rica
Before arranging travel, confirm appointments and ask which medical matters need to be addressed beforehand.
4. Prepare for Your Return to Canada
If you receive treatment, request instructions for recovery and follow-up. The appropriate time to return home will depend on your condition and progress.
Questions from Canadian Patients
Do I need a physician’s referral to make an initial inquiry?
You can contact the office to ask about the process. If you have a referral or a summary from your physician, mention it and ask whether it is required for the evaluation.
Can I share studies completed in Canada?
Tell the office which studies you have, when they were performed, and the available formats. The team will explain how to submit them and whether additional information is needed.
Are medical records accepted in English or French?
Ask about document requirements before sending records. Accepted languages and translation requirements must be confirmed with the office.
Will my provincial or territorial health plan cover care in Costa Rica?
Coverage for care outside Canada must be verified directly with the relevant health plan and any additional insurer. Do not assume that consultations, procedures, or travel expenses will be covered.
How long would I need to stay in Costa Rica?
Your stay depends on the evaluation and any recommended treatment. There is no standard length of stay for every patient. Confirm medical guidance before deciding on travel dates.
What should I ask about continuing my care in Canada?
Ask which follow-up appointments you will need, which records to keep, and what information to share with your regular physician. Any coordination with healthcare professionals in Canada must be confirmed and is not automatically included.
Start with a Clear Understanding of the Process
Contact Dr. Andrés Morales’s office and let the team know that you live in Canada. Explain why you are seeking care and which medical records you have available to receive guidance on the evaluation process in Costa Rica.