Philippines 2019 for new expats

[lopburi3 9,896]

2 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

I have a international expat insurance with high limit. It cost me a fortune per year, but I hope it will be paying off when I need it.

The problem is that many private hospitals only accept local insurer.

#1 private hospital do not accept my international expat insurance.

 

 

So would have to pay up-front for service and then make a claim back for insurance payback (which could take months)?  Have same issues in Thailand - and hospital may take one year and stop at any time (been there).  

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

50 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Regarding Pacific Cross, I think they exclude cancer, don't they?

 

 

Expat, thanks for the elaboration above re medical insurance and acceptance there... Very helpful, as have been all of your posts/contributions to this thread.

 

As for your question above, obviously, I have a Pacific Cross TH policy, not a Pacific Cross PH policy, and I have no way of knowing if they are the same or not. Also, Pacific Cross offers several different levels/prices of policies. Mine happens to be their upper-mid range Maxima policy.

 

So with those caveats, in looking at my policy, I noticed under outpatient coverage that it specifically includes chemotherapy and radiation treatments. And I don't see anything relating to cancer and such as an entry under the "general exclusions" exceptions.

 

The general exclusions stuff includes things like: checkups, vaccinations, AIDS and STDs, injuries from DUI or committing crimes, attempted suicide, hunting, conditions that pre-existed when the coverage was begun, vastectomy, plastic surgery, substance abuse rehab, dangerous sports, etc etc.

 

PS - I do know there are some OTHER Thai medical insurance policies that do specifically exclude cancer, even when it is diagnosed AFTER the policy has been in force.

Edited April 7, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ExpatPH 876]

10 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

But I think the bottom line question is, with your experience, would you go to either of those two hospitals in Cebu and feel comfortable being treated there for something more than a minor and/or obvious medical problem? And would they accept your insurance for payment? What's the bottom line verdict?

 

 

Bottom line;

Minor conditions I trust the hospitals here.

For heart by-pass, and other serious dangerous terminal illness required treatment, there is NO WAY I would trust hospitals here.

If possible, I would be on first flight to 

1. Singapore.

2. Thailand.

 

Personally:

My present medical conditions option is a big surgery, ICU, bed for a month, maybe never able to leave my bed.

After consultations with best hospitals in 2 countries, who highlighted high risk for multiple heart attacks and death, I have come to peace with my condition, and don't risk a operation that might take my life anyway, or become bedridden my remaining time.

 

Bottom line:

Cebu #2 private hospital do accept my Intl expat insurance, so thats my option so far, but only for non life threatening conditions.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

56 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

seasoned expats adviced me to have Philhealth and 1-2 mill peso in savings, for hospital expences.

 

So, do you have any ability to comment on how easy or not it is for expats there to get a Philhealth policy as a new arriver, how inclusive the coverage offered is, and at what kind of premium prices?

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

1 minute ago, ExpatPH said:

Bottom line:

Cebu #2 private hospital do accept my Intl expat insurance, so thats my option so far, but only for non life threatening conditions.

 

Which hospital are you referring to above?

 

[ExpatPH 876]

1 hour ago, mike787 said:

I have dealt first hand with both of those facilities in Cebu.  The training and standards in terms of medical training are far bellow what you would experience compared to Bumrungrad or Bangkok hospital. 

 

+1 Spot on.

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

1 hour ago, ExpatPH said:

Banks and ATM in PH as one example. On paper is seems OK, when you 'in country', you realize how unreliable they are, how often they dont return card or give money, how often they are offline.  You strictly follow seasoned expats advice what ATM to use.

 

That's why I consider your advice here so valuable. The way things are supposed to work, or said to work, either in places like TH or the PH is not necessarily how they actually work in real life.  So direct, first-hand experience is so helpful.

 

I just wanted to call to your attention what the Visa and MC card networks were reporting, and see if you had any experience with what they say. And obviously, you do!

 

PS - I certainly concur, one of the last things you want to have happen as an expat is to have an ATM machine eat/swallow the home country bank card that you rely on for obtaining your funds and making POS purchases, because the replacement time and hassle can be considerable.

 

 

Edited April 7, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ExpatPH 876]

32 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

So would have to pay up-front for service and then make a claim back for insurance payback (which could take months)?  Have same issues in Thailand - and hospital may take one year and stop at any time (been there).  

 

Yes, that would be the case in most hospitals here.

 

And that is a bad option, after read reviews of international insurers, my own included. I worry they would not honor some / many insurance claims later on.

 

I aim only for direct billing with ahead approval, to avoid claim be denied.

 

I always try to play it safe, regarding Insurance, banks, ATM's, and visa.

 

[ExpatPH 876]

29 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

So, do you have any ability to comment on how easy or not it is for expats there to get a Philhealth policy as a new arriver, how inclusive the coverage offered is, and at what kind of premium prices?

 

 

All foreigners can get PhilHealth. I have it too for minor things. Foreigner only need passport, and 310$ per year, can pay either for 3 - 6 - 12 months. 

It's a basic insurance that one 'must have' before be admitted to hospital, or 300-500$ cash to be admitted in hospital.

PhilHealth pays +- 30% of your total bill, so its a bare basic local insurance. 

If you have intl insurance with direct billing, one doesnt need PhilHealth.

Still expats recommend it, for minor conditions.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

11 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

PhilHealth pays +- 30% of your total bill, so its a bare basic local insurance. 

 

 

$300+ a year premium for local insurance that only pays about 30% of your bill?  Hmmmm.......

 

Hey Expat, just for comparison purposes, what the general price of just a routine doctor office visit at the private Cubu hospitals you've been talking about? Meaning including doctor visit fee, nursing charge, facility charge, etc etc?

 

Here in Thailand, at a midrange private hospital in BKK, you can have a basic doctor visit for about 1000 baht or $30 U.S. all in (not including any medicines or treatments). If you want to talk about the top end privates, that amount probably moves closer to 2000b or $65 U.S. (again, just to walk in the door and be seen).

 

Edited April 7, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ExpatPH 876]

10 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

$300+ a year premium for local insurance that only pays about 30% of your bill?  Hmmmm.......

 

Hey Expat, just for comparison purposes, what the general price of just a routine doctor office visit at the private Cubu hospitals you've been talking about? Meaning including doctor visit fee, nursing charge, facility charge, etc etc?

 

Here in Thailand, at a midrange private hospital in BKK, you can have a basic doctor visit for about 1000 baht or $30 U.S. all in (not including any medicines or treatments). If you want to talk about the top end privates, that amount probably moves closer to 2000b or $65 U.S. (again, just to walk in the door and be seen).

 

 

Quick 5 min doctor visit 500 peso or 10$ incl prescription. No meds.

 

Longer 10-15 min doctor visit, examination, 1000 - 1500 peso or 20-30$

 

Treatment for diarrhea admitted overnight 2000-2500 peso or 40-50$

 

Admitted to hospital for more serious condition expect 15000 - 25000 per 24 hrs  300-500$ per day.

 

Friends Traffic accident, operation arms and legs, ICU 2 weeks, normal hospital room for 1 week, 3 weeks total was 2.2 mill Peso or 43.000$ 

 

Unless its emergency, can take considerable time to get a doctor appointment. We once waited from 9am until 4pm in waiting room when I finally got into doctors office.

 

Doctors always run a private practice as well, here access to doctor within 1-3 hrs. In province the waiting line start early morning, and by the time doc arrive 6pm, he has 40-50 patients waiting.

 

One sure learn to be patient here, and ones health becomes #1 to watch out for.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK 25,645]

13 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Quick 5 min doctor visit 500 peso or 10$ incl prescription. No meds.

 

Longer 10-15 min doctor visit, examination, 1000 - 1500 peso or 20-30$

 

So are those prices you're quoting above for a doctor outpatient visit in a private hospital,

or

a doctor visit at the doctor's private practice,

or

same either way?

 

[ExpatPH 876]

4 minutes ago, vinniekintana said:

I stopped reading at 'No smoking...' 

I would expect it from hi-tech/rich/totalitarian Singapore but not from a basketcase like the Phils.

One of the reasons we relocated to the turd-world is the relative freedom we have here viv-a-vis the nanny state, PC West.

 

Btw...is it true that anyone can 'denounce' you to the police for not being of good character or some such canard?

...and the police is obliged to take action? 

 

When the President stopped smoking = new law:  No smoking in public.

Enuff said.

 

2  Yes. And they do it. Its not uncommon to receive verbal threaths here. At first, one get chock and stress. Over time, one just laugh in silence later, because 99,9% of the time, it's just a threat. 

Be accused of rape, also occur, most cases declined after investigation. 

I report you to immigration, is the most used threat here.  I lost count, long time ago.

Police here are better than a first timer would believe. They received a long awaited 400% salary increase, so now they even better, now they're motivated to work hard. Towards foreigners they are very friendly, curious and helpful. No complaints from me.

[ExpatPH 876]

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

So are those prices you're quoting above for a doctor outpatient visit in a private hospital,

or

a doctor visit at the doctor's private practice,

or

same either way?

 

 

Same similar rates.

 

[Destiny1990 7,300]

Whats aggravates me in Phillipines are those millions of jeepnies with their toxic 40 years old diesel engines killing poisining all pedestrians. Look at Cebu the real problem is lack of money. U get taxed for everything in Phillipines much more then in Thailand however the government there is always broke??

They make many beautiful infrastructure plans on computer animation screen for 200 pesos but thats it.

why Cebu doesnt have a BTS from Bantayan all the way till Badian etc? It will come but by that time we are all death and forgotten. Third bridge to lapu2x supposed to be ready 2 years ago hiwever construction started 4 months ago takes 4-5 more years.etc

a dangerous crossing instead of fixing that crossing they just block a whole street its a problem because now all traffic is stuck forever but the dangerous crossing situation  is fixed according to them..

 

Edited April 7, 2019 by Destiny1990