Medical Insurance While Travelling Outside Of Ph

[OnMyWay]

I was just reading up on Obamacare exemptions while living overseas.  There is some info here if you are interested:

 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

 

I also was just perusing the Best Health Insurance thread here.  Currently I have Philhealth and self insure for anything that is not covered.  I do need to go ahead and choose a private insurance, but that is another topic.

 

What came to mind is, what if something happens when I am back home in the US?  That is what could wipe me out, considering the ridiculously high cost of care there.

 

What do you do?  Here are some questions that I have not researched yet, but maybe some of you have, or have experiences.

 

1.  Does Philhealth cover anything outside of PH?

2.  Do most standard PH private insurances have coverage outside PH?  Are they "add-ons"?

3.  Is travel insurance available here and if so, is it a cost effective option, short or long term?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Call me bubba]

1. Does Philhealth cover anything outside of PH?

 

2. Do most standard PH private insurances have coverage outside PH? Are they "add-ons"?

 

3. Is travel insurance available here and if so, is it a cost effective option, short or long term?

 

answer to 1. YES but its limited. you pay and file on return

2. BLUE CROSS-philippines has coverage protection only for short time cant say about others as I dont have answer

3. cant answer

[MikeB]

Philhealth coverage is available out of the country for OFWs, are you sure that applies to everyone? I couldn't find the answer.

Blue Cross Phil covers you for up to 90 days anywhere in the world unless you take the Treatment Area Limitation discount (I did). File and be reimbursed. They also offer travel insurance.

[Call me bubba]

Philhealth coverage is available out of the country for OFWs,

are you sure that applies to everyone? I couldn't find the answer.

 

Here  is the answer

http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/individually_paying/procedure.html

Confinements abroad

Submit the following within 180 days after discharge. Overseas confinements shall be paid based on Level 3 hospital benefit rates.

• PhilHealth Claim Form 1
• Member Data Record (MDR) or supporting documents
• Proof of applicable premium payments
• Original official receipt or detailed statement of account (written in English)
• Medical certificate (written in English) indicating the final diagnosis, confinement period and services rendered

[OnMyWay]

 

Philhealth coverage is available out of the country for OFWs,

are you sure that applies to everyone? I couldn't find the answer.

 

Here  is the answer

http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/individually_paying/procedure.html

Confinements abroad

Submit the following within 180 days after discharge. Overseas confinements shall be paid based on Level 3 hospital benefit rates.

• PhilHealth Claim Form 1
• Member Data Record (MDR) or supporting documents
• Proof of applicable premium payments
• Original official receipt or detailed statement of account (written in English)
• Medical certificate (written in English) indicating the final diagnosis, confinement period and services rendered

 

 

 

So in the US, it would probably cover a box of tissues!   :hystery:

[JJReyes]

Try Bupa, a Danish international medical insurance company. There are others offering 30, 60, 90 days travel coverage for emergencies for visitors to the United States. 

[intrepid]

I was just reading up on Obamacare exemptions while living overseas.  There is some info here if you are interested:

 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

 

I also was just perusing the Best Health Insurance thread here.  Currently I have Philhealth and self insure for anything that is not covered.  I do need to go ahead and choose a private insurance, but that is another topic.

 

What came to mind is, what if something happens when I am back home in the US?  That is what could wipe me out, considering the ridiculously high cost of care there.

 

What do you do?  Here are some questions that I have not researched yet, but maybe some of you have, or have experiences.

 

1.  Does Philhealth cover anything outside of PH?

2.  Do most standard PH private insurances have coverage outside PH?  Are they "add-ons"?

3.  Is travel insurance available here and if so, is it a cost effective option, short or long term?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

Ok, So I'm still confused.  After reading Publication 54 and section 911.  I still do not understand will I still have to have a US insurance to comply with the new law as a citizen living in the PI and still have enough income to file a tax return?  I am hoping to have to purchase US based insurance.

danny

[OnMyWay]

Ok, So I'm still confused.  After reading Publication 54 and section 911.  I still do not understand will I still have to have a US insurance to comply with the new law as a citizen living in the PI and still have enough income to file a tax return?

 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

 

12. Are US citizens living abroad subject to the individual shared responsibility provision?

Yes. However, U.S. citizens who live abroad for a calendar year (or at least 330 days within a 12 month period) are treated as having minimum essential coverage for the year (or period). These are individuals who qualify for an exclusion from income under section 911 of the Code. See Publication 54 for further information on the section 911 exclusion. They need take no further action to comply with the individual shared responsibility provision.

I am hoping to have to purchase US based insurance.

Did you mean "not have to"?  You can purchase it, but you do not have to.  Fore certain people, it might be a good deal even if you are not in the US.  You just need to make sure the policy will pay when outside the US.

[intrepid]

Did you mean "not have to"? You can purchase it, but you do not have to. Fore certain people, it might be a good deal even if you are not in the US. You just need to make sure the policy will pay when outside the US.

 

Yes.  That is what I ment, NOT have to buy US insurance.  I just don't want to have several insurance policies.  I want to try to keep it simple.  But with so many choices it can be a little overwhelming.  I still have almost two years but already researching and planning.  Most recently I was thinking of PhilHealth with either Phil Bluecross/shield or an international medical policy.  Some of the internationl policys have pretty good pricing and even much better if you sign an exclussion or US treatment.  It would still cover emergency treatment while visiting the US.   I think a person could work around that given there are many world class treatment other than in US.

But just thinking and learning for now.

danny