RESUMEN
Costa Rica's health system was established in 1941 by the president at the time, Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia. Since then, the public health system has expanded, and a private system was also introduced. Diabetes management differs greatly between both systems, as well as the medications available. Publicly, the system faces many challenges when treating diabetes; including a limited range and selection of medications, as well as a blatant lack of support (nutritional, physical, and psychological). Privately, the costs adjacent to a diabetes diagnosis represent an unbearable burden to some patients, with medications such as a weekly dose of 1.0 mg of semaglutide representing approximately 47.5% of Costa Rica's minimum wage. Despite its flaws, both systems provide the Costa Rican population with options for treatment. The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social covers around 90% of the population, which puts Costa Rica on par with developed countries.