How To Plan For An Unexpected Medical Emergency

[Dave Hounddriver]

Maybe you could post a topic like how to plan for an unexpected medical emergency

 

This could be a great thread if those with actual hospital experience post a few of their observations on what to do long in advance of needing a hospital visit.  If the posts are constructive enough, I suspect we can convince JGF to make it a 'stcky' so that it is more easily found.

 

1 - I suggest that we need to find all the local emergency rooms in the area we live and take a look in advance to see which one you would want to be brought to in an emergency.  Let your partner know.

 

2 - I suggest bringing up blood types with good friends at expat meetings or other social gatherings to let them know what blood type you have and that you are willing to donate to friends in an emergency.  Those with the same blood type will approach you to thank you for your offer and that is the beginning of your list on who to call when YOU need blood.

 

3 - If you do not have a permanent gf then arrange with friends to find you a 'watcher' if you are hospitalized.  It has to be someone you can trust with your cash, comfort and embarrassing events.

 

4 - Keep about 10K pesos in cash available at all hours of the day or night.  Have access to 20K more in cash that friends can access for you in an emergency.  Have a plan for 100K pesos or more to pay your hospital bill in an emergency.  Many hospital visits can cost much more than that but we deal with those larger bills as they come.

 

5 - Find a good doctor for check ups well in advance of needing hospitalization.  A doctor with 'pull' at the hospital will grease a lot of wheels for you.

 

OK!   Whose next with planning advice?

 

 

6 - Buy medical insurance.

 

7 - Have several redundant ways of accessing your money.

 

 8 - Make a detailed plan with your wife or trusted friend in the event something happens and follow the plan.  

 

9 - Understand the limitations of the hospital in your immediate area.

10 - Pre screen the hospital regarding acceptable payment methods in advance (insurance, cc cards, cash etc) by talking with the admissions staff regarding their particular policy

11 - How are you going to be transported to the hospital at a moments notice at all hours of the day and night?

12 - Provide your health history to your wife or friend to give to the doctor

 

Space intentionally left for future additions.  

Edited September 20, 2014 by Dave Hounddriver

[jpbago]

Buy medical insurance.

[robert k]

Explain to them that they can not take your blood sugar while you are eating a piece of candy. :hystery:

[OnMyWay]

Good topic Dave!  I'm interested to see more advice.

[Alby]

Thanks Dave!

The main thing is to have several redundant ways of accessing your money.

We all know how things unexpectedly and for no reason work here.

As you said. Plan for blood, which doctor and which hospital to go to in advance.

As for much, I guess it depends on individual resources.

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[Old55]

Make a detailed plan with your wife or trusted friend in the event something happens and follow the plan.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Old55

[Hey Steve]

9-Understand the limitations of the hospital in your immediate area.

 

10-Pre screen the hospital regarding acceptable payment methods in advance (insurance, cc cards, cash etc) by talking with the admissions staff regarding their particular policy

 

11-How are you going to be transported to the hospital at a moments notice at all hours of the day and night?

 

12-Provide your health history to your wife or friend to give to the doctor

[earthdome]

Make plans for how you get to the hospital. Is there an ambulance service to call? do you have phone numbers for taxi's? What if you can't drive your car/motorbike?

[OnMyWay]

For those of with kids and no family close by, you should have a plan for them.

 

And what if you and your significant other are both in an accident?

 

This thread really makes you realize you need a written plan that can be given to family and friends who are part of the plan.

[intrepid]

Buy medical insurance.

I guess this could be another topic of it's own.  I was just planning to ask, "How much insurance coverage should we have in the Philippines"  or "how large medical savings".  Not getting into a debate of companies, deductible, or co-pays.  Knowing that medical cost are lower in the Philippines, I want to plan for a worse case, like major operation of things like heart by-pass, transplants, or similar.  I have seen insurance companies ofer plans from php100,000 to  php3M.  Of course it depends on ones health condition and ability to budget but is having a php3M too much?