I don't think they need to sign up annually. They need their senior citizens' ID though to avail of the various discounts.

 

They have to pay annually or quarterly

 

No. Senior citizens in the Philippines are, by law, automatic members of Philhealth-----no need to pay anything when you're a senior.

 

My mistake, I thought my in-laws were senior citizens, not yet

 

I think you mean only Filipino citizens as seniors get free Phil health, correct? Senior citizen expats must pay a relatively huge fee of 15-17k for very little coverage, I think. Maybe not even worth it now but it is ok for those senior expats grandfathered into the old pricing structure.


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Yes, I only meant Filipino seniors----for expats, I think it is better to get a private insurance rather than govt.-owned Philhealth? I wonder. I will try to askPhilhealth about Filipinas' husbands who are expats. Shouldn't they get the same privilege as Filipino seniors? I will ask.

 

Thank you Glenda. I didn’t mention coverage age is 70. Frankly I’m not even sure if private insurance is worth it for expats 70 and above if they can get it, not sure if they can. The max coverage limits are so low for all expat plans, not sure if clients even notice that, and they only pay you AFTER you settle with the hospital. Perhaps it is best for expat seniors 70 and above to self insure as high as possible, not sure but thanks for looking into the Phil Health situation. Maybe Phil health coverage is necessary, not so much for compensation but only to get expats admitted to the hospital. But if you don’t pay when leaving, they will keep you on premise until you pay and private insurance plans are not useful in that regard!


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I happen to remember there's a law that forbids someone to hold custody in an hospital for not able to pay the bill the very moment of dismission. However a promisory note has to be signed nevertheless.

 

Yes, that is correct. The problem is that the promissory note must be backed by real estate or something else that is valuable enough to pay the bill as collateral. The hospital need not accept anything less. It is strange because expats cannot own land but I suppose they would accept a condo as collateral or something else of extremely high value. Many expats are renters and those with large bank accounts would simply pay anyway. We like to think of a promissory note as a simple promise to pay, but no, this is a notarized legal document that includes collateral that will cover non-payment. And, of course, expats SHOULD pay the bill. What 1st world expat would intentionally go to a hospital and wrack up P2 million and try to screw them out if their money? (Perhaps too many). But that is what you need to insure for for say a heart valve replacement. For 70+ you had better set aside some self insurance. Either that or be govt insured in your home country and be healthy enough to go home for the longer term treatment (heart bypass, other non-emergency surgery).


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