I’ve mentioned PhilHealth here on the blog a few times lately … and I’ve seen quite a few comments about PhilHealth on other forums. I thought I’d make a couple quick comments to highlight my own experiences.
Is PhilHealth worth paying for?
Absolutely. In fact, many Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth for free … either because of their senior citizen status or because their employers pay. I’m really tickled by the financial agonizing some of my American brethren seem to go through … the entire costs involved aren’t enough to get me to spend the time that some people devote to the discussion. it’s a no brainer. 1,200 Philippine pesos … $29.48 USD at today’s rate … most people are paying more than that per month just to read this post online, and that figure is for one full year of coverage. One whole year for $30 USD … $2.46 per month.
How Much Will It Pay?
Well here’s a link to the detailed benefits page. Yeah, gives me a headache too. So how about real-world examples. My mother-in-law has been hospitalized several times in the past few years. The lowest amount PhilHealth ever contributed was about 8,000 Pesos … almost $200 USD. ROI (return On Investment) is my middle name and any time you can spend 1,200 and get 8,000 … more than a 6-fold return, you’ve made a darn good investment.
Who Can Join?
All Filipinos … including those working abroad. Now why would someone working overseas and earning good wages and probably covered by better health plans want to join? Simple … parents and some other family members are covered by the individually paying member’s benefits … again the benefits may not look like much in US terms but in terms of the miniscule contributions it is a good deal.
Of course non-Filipino spouses are also fully covered as are all children of the marriage (as well as acknowledged illegitimate children). Folks, you really should give this serious thought.
There are so many people doing without here in the Philippines, and, yes, so many government programs that don’t work, that when you find one that does work, delivers on promises and actually helps people, you ought to jump aboard.
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I fully agree! PhilHealth is a good start to covering your medical expenses.
A lot of folks living in the Philippines or planning to in the future have issues with family members getting sick and asking for help. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, but getting them enrolled in Philhealth is certainly a help … it’s very sad that many Pinoys seem to think they can’t belong to PhilHealth … so many things have been reserved for the ‘rich’ in the past, that it is high time to help educate folks to one of the government’s better programs.
Thanks for dropping by, Bob
yup Philhealth is a great help for indigent patients here providing uniform benifits to all.
Indeed. I can’t figure out why so many people avoid it … there is no way, even for paying subscribers, that you won’t get your (minor) investment back over time, and for retired folk, like my mother and father in law, it’s a Godsend.