Medical Insurance in the Philippines

[markpa]

2 hours ago, Sander Martin said:

I doubt I would make the US either, Guam maybe. First I have to checkout the Hospitals In manila.Ok but if I needed micro surgery I may need a medi evac, so Guam maybe, or one the other countries you mentioned. Hey its better to hear $50 K then $ 1 million any time. Ok, on the SRRV it says you have to have medical coverage. Now I went and read about the so called short term Tourist Medical coverage, a lot lot cheaper. And I only need it for 30 days, then I would have my  Phil Health Coverage, so I cancel the Tourist coverage, and do my Phil Health.

 

1 hour ago, frosty (chris) said:

If you were being Medi-Vacd I doubt you would make the U.S. Anything can be had here as long as you have the money to pay, I have no doubt in Manila there is a world class hospital with services to match any thing that can be had. Doesn't the US have hospital facilities on Guam. Singapore (4hrs flying) Hong Kong, Bangkok, Vietnam even all have first class hospitals and doctors, would be much quicker and closer if ever you did need emergency treatment

3k usd a month for insurance here??? I think you are best to skip that. In one post you said that you had 5-6 properties in the US and you are selling them. Dont waste your money on the 3k usd a mont insure here and just keep 10-20k or more for emergency use. You dont need med evacuation here if you have enought money for a proper hospital... When you sell the propertys, you will have plenty of money for a comfy life and emergencys (unless you plan to party and spend tens of thousands usd a month).

 Ok I guess its just the to me, and I see these ads for EMs evacuation if i'm in the P.I.I have thought of having a bank account just for a medical emergency say 30

[markpa]

23 hours ago, Sander Martin said:

3k usd a month for insurance here??? I think you are best to skip that. In one post you said that you had 5-6 properties in the US and you are selling them. Dont waste your money on the 3k usd a mont insure here and just keep 10-20k or more for emergency use. You dont need med evacuation here if you have enought money for a proper hospital... When you sell the propertys, you will have plenty of money for a comfy life and emergencys (unless you plan to party and spend tens of thousands usd a month).

 I redid my thinking on this, thanks to you and others. No Ex pat insurance . And ya if I sell my properties i'm not blowing my money on something I don't need. With my Social Security Retirement, and my Retitrement from my retirement from my work my state retirement fund. I can do ok there. And nope not a partier,I'm a quite sort of guy. No drugs, no booze, if I have one weakness, I love to shop. Thanks for opening up my eyes about the ex pat ins. Mark

[markpa]

On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 2:19 AM, robert k said:

On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 2:19 AM, robert k said:

I intend to compare notes and find out what my nearest hospital and St. Luke's in Manila will take and that is the insurance I will get. Insurance in the Philippines is a lot more reasonable than in the US. There is a thread on it.

I intend to compare notes and find out what my nearest hospital and St. Luke's in Manila will take and that is the insurance I will get. Insurance in the Philippines is a lot more reasonable than in the US. There is a thread on it.

 Having done your research i'm sure the prices will be better, Do you have Phili Health also.Mark

[markpa]

On ‎5‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 3:30 PM, mogo51 said:

Age is the factor with private health, once you hit the magic figure of 65 it is difficult to get and expensive (more expensive I should say).  Phil health as I have been told only covers a part of your hospitalisatio but better than nothing and it is very inexpensive.

 I agree but right now I pay a $24.00 a month premium  for my medical cost. $65.00 for the E.R. visit, I get my oral meds for free and my diabetic supplies at no cost.Now with Phil Health I.m in the hospital for 3 days ok, bill is 3 or 4 K in the USA that would be $250,000. I  can pay the 3 or 4 K a lot easier. Oh and I pay $15.00 per private Doc visits,and $50.00 for a specialist. I know in the P.I. my costs will do down.Mark

[markpa]

On ‎5‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 3:26 PM, scott h said:

Mark, there are a lot of topics that cover the pros and cons of Phil Health and other insurance programs. But short and sweet Phil Health will only cover a person who is "admitted" to a hospital. I am not fully versed anymore, but the smart play is to bring some type of insurance with you if possible. Due diligence and research should be conducted prior to a move to preclude any misconceptions.

  That's what I mean,sure Phil Health is good if you are a inpatient. But why not coverage for the standard E.R. visit. You cut your hand open get stitches, maybe a tentus shot. Ok you pay. Why not coverage that will cover part of the costs even if they make you just get paid 75% of the bill. Happens every day on m inor injuries,and other conditions. ZI hear you can get cheaper medical plans in the P.I. ever hear of that? I'm going to check things out. Thanks.Mark

[earthdome]

3 hours ago, markpa said:

  That's what I mean,sure Phil Health is good if you are a inpatient. But why not coverage for the standard E.R. visit. You cut your hand open get stitches, maybe a tentus shot. Ok you pay. Why not coverage that will cover part of the costs even if they make you just get paid 75% of the bill. Happens every day on m inor injuries,and other conditions. ZI hear you can get cheaper medical plans in the P.I. ever hear of that? I'm going to check things out. Thanks.Mark

My wife tripped while jogging and hit her chin pretty hard including a cut requiring stitches. Cost at ER for stitches, xray of jaw and vaccination was $50. Cost to see a specialist, $10. Cost for an echo cardiogram, $70. In the Philippines it is much easier to be self insured. Many costs for routine things are less than your copay in the US. Just need to make sure you have philhealth and/or cash available for emergency hospitalizations. Because without either of these you will not get treatment. Even if you have great health insurance from the US in almost all cases you will have to pay for your health care in the Philippines then submit the receipts to your US insurer to get reimbursed. Your US insurance will not be accepted. Ohh... and medicare does not provide any coverage or reimbursement when you are outside the US.

Edited May 18, 2016 by earthdome

[robert k]

4 hours ago, markpa said:

 Having done your research i'm sure the prices will be better, Do you have Phili Health also.Mark

I had to return to the US to take care of family business. When I return I will get Philhealth and private insurance.

[markpa]

11 minutes ago, robert k said:

I had to return to the US to take care of family business. When I return I will get Philhealth and private insurance.

  Nope not in the P.I. yet next year if all goes well.Good your getting Phil Health, if you get private health let me know ok,and what the coverage is and cost.Thanks.Mark

[robert k]

34 minutes ago, markpa said:

  Nope not in the P.I. yet next year if all goes well.Good your getting Phil Health, if you get private health let me know ok,and what the coverage is and cost.Thanks.Mark

I have been looking at Pacific Cross insurance, formerly Blue Cross Philippines. Being I'm 50 the quotes from 2013 look like it would be about $900 USD per year for a private room with a peso plan. Even allowing for inflation, I think it will still be reasonable, for me. The latest age group they have on the website is 61-65, after that I guess you are on your own. Of course I would be tickled if someone guaranteed that I would live to be 65 so I'm not going to complain too much.

[mogo51]

5 hours ago, markpa said:

  That's what I mean,sure Phil Health is good if you are a inpatient. But why not coverage for the standard E.R. visit. You cut your hand open get stitches, maybe a tentus shot. Ok you pay. Why not coverage that will cover part of the costs even if they make you just get paid 75% of the bill. Happens every day on m inor injuries,and other conditions. ZI hear you can get cheaper medical plans in the P.I. ever hear of that? I'm going to check things out. Thanks.Mark

Mark, because it doesn't it is as simple as that.  I can assure you your arrival will not change what happens in Phils.  YOU have to adjust to what it is.  By all means, see what Insurance options you have, but in all cases I have checked out, it is expensive.

The best advice is stop comparing between the states and Phils.  You are going from a 1st world country to a 3rd world country - kick back and smell the roses.