⌛ What to do for Heath insurance and Pharmacys

I know there a various plans and companies there. I ask not so much for myself but my parents are coming with when we move and the coverage they currently hold will not cover them in the PH as it is a Social Security Supplement and will not cover outside the US or US territories.

They are both elderly and will need basic health coverage as well as perhaps something that covers prescriptions depending on the comparative cost of their regular supply.

The plan for them is to develop relationships with both local Dr's and specialists in Cebu. Their regular meds and health are stable but they will need perhaps quarterly check ups etc.

We also will need a reliable pharmacy to get their meds from.

I know there is a public hospital and 2 private hospitals in Duma but will only rely on them for basic services.

How have you been handling this?

 

Hi,

You are broaching a subject that gets batted around on this forum about every few months. A little searching will dig up plenty of varying opinions.

The consensus is that the level of health care available here is poor to mediocre. Health insurance is expensive (search past postings on this forum). Don’t even consider the government run hospital. The two private hospitals are ok considering where you are..

My personal experience as a 67 year old with many of the age related infirmities and a few life style induced ones is that I find it mostly acceptable. I have Medicare A&B and a supplemental none of which apply here. My doc here charges me p500 ($11)) for a visit. I feel she is quite competent, takes an interest in my health and she understands that if something serious needs to be done I will try to get on a plane. A few months ago the govt. enforced some sort of price cap on prescription drugs and it seems that the price of a bag full of prescriptions I take has gone down. I am quite sure that drug prices here are a lot lower than in the States. I find I have to budget about $100 a month for doc. and prescriptions. Depending on their needs of course your folks costs will vary. I use Mercury drugs one of the largest chain pharmacies here and haven’t had a problem with counterfeit drugs which occasionally happens in the smaller shops.

Anyone with serious health problems who chooses to live here is at elevated risk. As an example last Saturday night I was having serious problems and if I lived in the States I would have called 911. As it was I waited until my doc was in her office on Mon. to visit her. I have to say I had a few second thoughts about living here for a few hours.

You have to decide what is most important to you. I love this place and the people so that weighs heavily on my choice. If length of life as opposed to quality of life is a primary concern this is not an optimal choice.

Kenny

 

Thanks for the reply Kenny.

Both of my parents are diabetic and are on Blood Pressure and cholesterol meds. Other than being old that is the worst condition they have. The cost and availability of their meds is my biggest concern with them. Their Dr for the last 30 yrs or so is Filipino and we know several other Nurses etc that are as well. We are all comfortable with being in the care of the Filipino people.

I read about the changes in the prescription laws and that that has lowered costs. We are currently investigating whether the existing coverage would reimburse for the meds purchased there. If so we may opt to keep the existing coverage in place in case a quick trip to a us territory for something serious is needed and find some local coverage or just self insure for the care needed in Dumaguete or Cebu.

In terms of Quality vs Quantity of life the biggest goal for them and for the rest of the family is to keep them in the home so we can care for them. They want the grand children and them to have as much time together as possible.

In the PH if needed they we can afford in home nursing etc as needed to assist us and in the US that would be too expensive. My parents have made it very clear that they do not was to be in a retirement home.....so guess what. We are building their retirement home in the PH and my primary duties will be to care for them and raise my girls.

Having the whole family together was my wife's idea and when she first offered my parents to live with us (without consulting with me first) I was not thrilled about the idea. Now that we have all been together for 2 years we have things works out and it is really a blessing to have the family together.

When we get there mom in law will live with us as well one big....big family. At lease it seem that way to me since I am an only child.

Peace

 

Tom
It sounds like you and your folks have given this some thought and are going into it with your eyes open. The local docs will have no problem dealing with their existing conditions and your folks may find that the very personalized care that is given here is a pleasant change from what they are used to.

Keep us posted on your arrival, we will be happy to welcome you and yours.

Kenny

 

Tom2bad68, is your wife a Filipina? Her invitation to let your parents live with you is very Filipino. I think you will be doing well here with both your parents under your care.

 

Yes she is Filipino

We have been trying to work out the details on this for a while. As we get closer I keep trying to better understand what we will need to do.

We look forward to meeting you all when we get there.

 

Shouldn't think you will have too much problem with suitable medication in the Philippines, as many people here, suffer from exactly the same medical conditions, from middle age onwards.
Try any of the appropriate consultant doctors in either Holy Child(Cheque) Hospital or Silliman Medical Centre, they can usually get at least 15-25% off for specialised medicines, compared to the cheapest quotes from local pharmacies, that actually have suitable stock.
At least that's what I do, saving about 25% on my med's and more importantly, as they are ordering straight from the pharmacutical companies, you know at least, that it won't be old stock either.

 

I don't know what to say about your....

Parents, But as for your children, wife and yourself. I would get Philhealth its cost is 1,200 peso's a year. it is really wroth it.. Welcome to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Website

 

Thanks Teacher, I have heard of that program...but it appears that it is directed at Philippine Citizens. I see that it can be used for spouse, parents and children with the 45 day per year limit of dependent coverage. The Kids have both US and PH passports so they would probably qualify but that leaves me out unless covered by the spouse coverage.

From what I read it looks similar to a hospitalization policy with some outpatient services. It does not appear to cover prescriptions unless in the hospital. Of course I could be mistaken.

Is that that way you understand it?

I know that Dr. fees in the PH are less that my co/pay here for a Dr. visit so that is good.

Is there a prescription coverage plan available?

 

you are covered

As a spouse. because I am covered by my wife..And as a spouse I can also get the coverage for myself..just a perk. Your only big worry is if you are in the hospital that is when the prices get crazy.
My Daughter who was just born and is not on Phili health yet. Was in the hospital for three days the bill was 25,000 pesos. Most of the bill was just the charge for oxygen which was an outrage. Right Now my wife and I am covered, but we are living in Taiwan as I am working. But my daughter in still at home in the Philippines we are getting her a passport. So we can bring her here. Medical issues are a big thing for me because my daughter has a heart murmur which I am waiting to have her checked here in Taiwan.