15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Philippines

"I live in a rural area of the Philippines, and I have found the provincial and municipal hospitals to be of excellent quality for all my ordinary health care needs," commented one expat who moved to Bontoc.

"It's very important to have cash ready, or to be on one of the many local medical insurances available. Without money, you are doomed," said one expat.

"Healthcare services in the Philippines are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare varies depending on the region, but generally it is considered to be of a lower standard than private healthcare. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Expats in the Philippines typically use private healthcare services, as they are more reliable and of a higher quality. However, some expats may choose to use the public healthcare system if they are unable to afford private healthcare," remarked one expat in Philippines.

"I just spent 5 days in the Bacolod Riverside Hospital. I woke up in the middle of the night with an excruciating pain in my ankle, it felt like someone hit it with a hammer. The next morning it was double in size swollen up. I had previously seen this doctor in Bacolod an went to him to see what was up. He looked at it and immediately had me go to the ER and had me admitted. I spent days there to find out I had Peripheral Arterial Disease. I saw five specialist during my stay and was very impressed by them. The total cost was approximately $3,400.00 and they got my leg back to normal," remarked one expat living in Philippines.

"Depending where you live or want to live, there are great hospitals. Such as the ACE hospital system which is jayhco certified. Not sure if the spelling. They are up to date and modern hospital. You can actually invest in this hospital system like in the United States and get great service. ," said one expat living in Philippines.

"Competent doctors. Took an appointment a week in advance for an MRI that was needed immediately," wrote an expat living in Cebu.

"The healthcare system in the Philippines is largely privatized, with a mix of public and private hospitals and clinics providing medical services. The quality of care varies depending on the facility, but generally, the medical services available in the Philippines are of a high standard. The country has a wide range of specialists and medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, who are able to provide a range of treatments and services. The cost of medical services in the Philippines is generally lower than in other countries, making it an attractive option for those seeking medical care," said an expat in Philippines.

"Cebu city health care is very affordable. Good, top doctors compared to the U.S. When you are hospitalized and you ring for a nurse for help, you immediately get help - not one nurse but sometimes 3. We have a good experience in Cebu," remarked one expat living in Cebu.

"Healthcare and health insurance in the Philippines can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, basic health insurance plans are more affordable than comprehensive plans, but they may not cover all medical expenses. Out-of-pocket costs for medical services can also be high, especially for those without health insurance. Additionally, the cost of prescription drugs can be expensive, and many people in the Philippines are unable to afford them," said one expat living in Philippines.

"There are a lot of health insurance choices on offer and it is highly recommended to go on one of them. To be without cash and medical insurance may become a death warrant for the "Unprepared"," mentioned one expat in Angeles City.

"I have not had to use my insurance here because the cost of care has been so inexpensive. I had to get an MRI which cost me less than 200 USD," commented one expat who moved to Angeles City, Philippines.

"We do not have health insurance, except for PhilHealth through my husband's work. It pays for hospital stays, but there are a lot of out-of-pocket costs. However, these are not high - we are fortunate in that we have not needed any kind of major medical treatments. Something like advanced-stage cancer would have to be handled in Manila and would cost us in the realm of USD 5000 - 10,000, I'd estimate. Primary health care, like bandaging of wounds, bronchitis, and the like is free to all comers," remarked one expat living in Bontoc.

"Emergency/outpatient care is available 24/7. I seldom have to wait much for care. For an emergency requiring any sort of high-tech equipment, we would have to be transported to Baguio City, a six-hour drive. However, the human, professional care here is very high quality," said one expat living in Bontoc.

"In the Philippines, emergency services are available to provide medical assistance, firefighting, and rescue operations. To call for an ambulance, you can dial the emergency hotline number, 911, or contact the local emergency services. The Philippine Red Cross also provides emergency medical services and can be contacted through their hotline number, 143," mentioned one expat in Philippines.

"Angeles Medical Center was about 5km from where we lived. Most of the staff are unfriendly! My son broke his arm and I was infuriated by the awful way we were treated. As expected, it was expensive as we had to stay for a week, but the room was very clean and the food was good. We, however, got the needed medication," commented one expat who moved to Angeles City, Philippines.

"Local Emergency hospitals are normally for maternity so no xray's just a bed and a couple of nurse. Broken arms etc are transferred to nearest public hospital, but their conditions are very, very 3rd world and you could wait for hours to be attended. Also you must have cash up front before anything is done ie, xrays etc. Private hospitals are faster and better conditions, but are expensive, and again cash or credit card is necessary up front. You will not be allowed to leave the hospital until full payment is made. Locals can leave after signing promissory notes. This is breaking the law, but hospitals still carry on this practice regardless. Also doctors here carry drugs given by reps' they will sell you these, and also try to sell drugs that are not available from the drugs store. These are expensive, and I suspect some are ersatz. If you are unfortunate to be involved in an accident, they will send you to the nearest hospital, if you are not coherent, they will not treat you until a family member comes up with the payment details. You could die while waiting, but that is not their concern. The doctors Hippocratic oath only applies in the Philippines if you can pay for the services, doctors says they did this as its an investment to a comfortable life. The standards of their training is not so good either, that's why when they go abroad to work its usually as nurses, but only after they did some retraining," remarked one expat living in Philippines.

"5 minutes - Batangas Emergency Care (hospital) - YES all services - Excellent care hospital - Public hospital," commented one person.

"This would normally be in private hospitals in Manila, where charges are double from the local hospitals. Some of these hospitals are American style, but have astronomic bills to match. Again their practice is to load the bill. The doctors always try to refer other doctors to see you, again all this is chargeable to you. Payment upfront is required -- even when you are involved in an accident, sent to the ER and incoherent. They will wait for your family to arrive with cash or a credit card regardless of your condition. ," said an expat in Philippines.

"We go to Baguio City, where there is a wealth of choices, public, private, and medical school hospitals. My husband had surgery in Baguio City and received great care, both from the doctors and the nurses and other care providers," commented one expat living in Bontoc, Philippines.

"Prescriptions are easy to fill. I can obtain the needed medications from my physician and from local drug stores. The cost is much less than what I would pay in the U.S," commented one expat living in Angeles City, Philippines.

"Common prescription drugs are available in a number of chemists, but cheaper is generics small stores, but these do not stock everything but the most common, but are located everywhere. Mercury Drug is country wide, and have the largest stocks, but their prices are higher," wrote one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in the Philippines. Many pharmacies in the country carry a wide range of medications, including those for common illnesses such as colds, flu, and allergies. In addition, many pharmacies also carry medications for more serious conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Some pharmacies also offer specialized medications for specific conditions, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. In general, most medications are available in both generic and brand name forms," commented one expat who moved to Philippines.

"There are many Govt. and private hospitals dotted around the city and offer reasonably good facilities. Unfortunately, due to the xenophobia of most of the nurses, one has to put up with their ignorance and nastiness," said an expat in Angeles City.

"There is a public hospital nearby and also a private hospital. Emergency services in the private hospital are good - Not in the public hospital. Quality of care in the Public Hospital is not recommendable for Westerners. In the Private hospital it is reliable and good," commented one expat living in Manila, Philippines.

"Medical care in the Philippines is generally considered to be of a good standard. The country has well-qualified medical professionals, a range of public and private hospitals, and access to the latest medical treatments and technologies. Many public hospitals offer free or low-cost medical care for those unable to afford expensive private health care. The government also offers subsidised health insurance for poor and disadvantaged individuals. While the quality of medical care varies from place to place, overall, medical facilities and services in the Philippines are generally considered to be of a high standard," wrote one expat.

"Yes, foreigners living in the Philippines have access to public healthcare. The quality of care varies depending on the region, but generally the public healthcare system is considered to be of a good standard. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is free or heavily subsidized for those who cannot afford private healthcare. The public healthcare system is also supplemented by a network of private hospitals and clinics, which offer a higher standard of care," mentioned one expat in Philippines.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in the Philippines. Many hospitals and clinics have been overwhelmed with the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and limited access to medical care. The government has implemented various measures to help alleviate the strain on the healthcare system, such as providing additional funding for medical facilities and increasing the number of medical personnel. Despite these efforts, the healthcare system is still struggling to cope with the demands of the pandemic. Additionally, the cost of medical care has risen significantly, making it difficult for many people to access the care they need," commented one expat living in Philippines.

"A guard at the entrance of every public place makes sure your temperature is taken and you write down your contact info ior possible contact tracing," wrote one expat.