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," remarked one expat in Bontoc.

"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.

"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 living in Angeles City.

"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," mentioned one expat in Philippines.

"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 one expat living in Philippines.

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

"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," commented one expat living in Bontoc, Philippines.

"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," wrote one expat.

"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," mentioned one expat in Angeles City.

"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 who moved to Bontoc.

"Local hospitals in Germany are very efficient! The hospitals and medical centers in The Philippines are all average," said one expat.

"I have not yet had to travel away from Angeles City to obtain any required medical service," remarked one expat in Angeles City.

"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," mentioned one expat in Angeles City.

"Until recently, pharmacies have been willing to sell prescription drugs without prescriptions, but the government is trying to end this practice and educate people about the importance of getting prescriptions. They are also trying to curb overuse of antibiotics, and these are now difficult to get without persuading a doctor you need a prescription. My husband spends USD 40-50 per month for four blood pressure medications, including Amlodepine and Simvastatin. One consequence of the low cost of medications may be some tendency to over-prescribe," commented one expat who moved to Bontoc, Philippines.

"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," remarked one expat living in Philippines.

"Common medication is available in the many pharmacies dotted around the city. Prescriptions for antibiotics are needed, but not for asthma inhalers etc. Medication is much cheaper than in Germany," commented one person.

"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," remarked one expat living 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," said one expat living in Manila.

"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.

"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," said an expat in Cebu.

"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.