How To Make Payments

Pay Dr. Lev when you have your consultation with him before your surgery. You pay him with either cash, cashier's check or bank checks made out to Dr. Alejandro Lev. Remember, Dr. Lev's fee includes the anesthesiologist's fee as well. Also please be sure to add to that bank drawn check to Dr. Lev an additional $150 for the private duty english speaking nurse. We've gone back to the old method of paying the nurse which is separate from the hospital bill. So the nurse's fee will no longer be included on your hospital bill. Dr. Lev will pay the nurse on your behalf.

If you're not sure what you're having done, bring one check for the amount you think you're going to need for the surgeon/anesthesiologist's fee for the procedure you are planning on having done. If I were you I would get another bank drawn check made out to Dr. Lev in the amount of about $1000. That is your back up money in case you decide to do something else like Botox or Restalayne, etc. It's good to have more money than you need than the other way around. If you end up not using the extra money, Dr. Lev will take the check from you and give you $1000 back in US dollars. 

You can pay the hospital fee, the dentists, the dermatologist and the recovery retreat charges with a credit card. The dentists and the hospital accept all major credit cards and Dr. Sheinfeld, the dermatologist accepts ONLY Master Card or Visa. Obviously if you had to choose only one credit card to bring with you a Visa card would be the best choice since everyone (except Dr. Lev) accepts Visa.

It's a really good idea to call your credit card company before you travel and inform them that you will be using your card for large expenses in Costa Rica. Credit card companies really like when you give them a "heads up".

Also, please bring cash for tips. Although tipping is always strictly optional, you will probably want to tip the staff people at the retreat who take extra special care of you. Figure on leaving around $3-$4 a day per staff person (there are four people who will be tending to your needs.

I always think it's nice to show appreciation to people who are taking care of me especially in a situation like postop care. You will see how hard these people work to make sure you are comfortable and well cared for every single day.

As far as other expenses you might incur while in Costa Rica, that will all depend on how you're feeling.

For instance. If you are feeling up to taking a tour to two, you will need money for that. Also, you might want to go souvenir shopping or go to the mall in your second week of recovery (don't even think about going out and about the first week after surgery!!) when you're feeling better. Most stores will take credit cards, but it's always good to have plain ole cash on you….everybody loves the U.S. dollar!

Well, that's all on the money front……at least for now.

Love, Didi