Clermont Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Same here, we've medicare + goldcard, only have to get to Darwin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert k Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 2 hours ago, roddavis said: I can report for Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu. I had surgery a couple months back and was unprepared for the surgery/expense. I was in the hospital for 5 days. The total cost @P175000. They won't let you leave the hospital until the bill is paid. Since we were not prepared for the total amount(money to be transferred from States). They do take credit cards or cash. Since I didn't have enough on departure, we signed a promissory note to be paid in 2 weeks and they held onto our debit card from the States. So, if no medical insurance, they will require a deposit up front @1/3 estimated cost. (Dr, Surgeon, Room, Specialist are all separate charges.) It takes about 6 hours to check out of the hospitals because of all the separate charges! Of course billing not computerized! Most expenses were relatively cheap, the medications/solutions were much cheaper if you have SO purchase from Pharmacy across the street. So for future, will get some health insurance for the unexpected. Although you may still pay immediately, then get reimbursed later. With insurance, deposit not required, and if balance not totally paid, they may forgo a promissory note. If I recall correctly, it's against the law for them to not discharge you if you were in a ward. If you had a private room it's different. No way I'd want to be in a ward though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnMyWay Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Mark Berkowitz said: If I ever need anything expensive, such as open-heart surgery, my only plan is contingent on being well enough to take a very long flight back home, where I have health insurance. How does that work? Are you still paying for insurance in the U.S.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Berkowitz Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 56 minutes ago, OnMyWay said: How does that work? Are you still paying for insurance in the U.S.? It’s a very long story but I’ve been able to keep my employee health insurance in the U.S., even though I’m no longer working there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnMyWay Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Just now, Mark Berkowitz said: It’s a very long story but I’ve been able to keep my employee health insurance in the U.S., even though I’m no longer working there. That's great! My bro-in-law got lifetime medical when he took an early retirement package at age 55. That was worth more that the small severance pay he got. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bang4dabuck Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) I'm hearing different stories but if I was any of you guys without insurance (and I am) , I'd run over to PhilHealth TODAY with 7,200 php , passport and ACR ... TODAY !!! That will cover you, a foreigner for 3 yrs IF they will let you pay the current 200 php per month that is going to change tomorrow to 17,000 a yr. Again PhilHealth is more a discount plan for emergencies and major health issues. Helps you get admitted leaving you to only having to deal with the doctors directly. I'm guessing in the end saves you around 50%, my guess. Edited June 30, 2017 by bang4dabuck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted June 30, 2017 Author Posted June 30, 2017 3 hours ago, Clermont said: if you can't pay, do they put you down like an old horse or what, do you know ? They will still take care of you but they put a sign on your bed that says DNR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clermont Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Can you barter on the cost, ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthdome Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 I had a choice to make when I retired. A one time choice. Retire with no health insurance, retire with full coverage, or retire with a high deductible + HSA. If you choose to have health insurance the employer pays a percentage of the premium based on years of service, etc. Once you retire you can not change from one plan to the other. If at anytime you cancel you can not start again. When you reach 65 years of age the plan converts to a supplement plan for medicare. Knowing I was planning to spend at least part of my retirement outside the USA I chose the high deductible with HSA. For routine expenses I just use tax deductible money from the HSA, for major expenses I can get reimbursed. What is nice is that after the age of 65 the supplemental plan will still provide coverage in the Philippines where medicare does not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthdome Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Make sure you have your list of medications and existing medical conditions written down and with you, make sure your SO knows where that list is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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