Preventive care in the Philippines

The average Filipina doesn’t engage in much preventative care.  When they get sick they go to a doctor if they can afford it and usually at the last minute. The upper income class does engage in preventative care similar to what might happen in the west. Programs such as Phil Health are available but appear to mainly cover hospital visits inpatient stays and surgery.  There are plenty of good healthcare options for expats in the bigger cities, not so much in the province.  I have used the ER (Chong Hua) in Cebu City on several occasions and was very satisfied. I used a small hospital ER on one occasion in Argao  (province) for a minor issue and was satisfied.  There are several quality healthcare plans for expats above and beyond what Phil Health offers.  In the Philippines the quality of healthcare is directly related to what you can afford to pay 

I agree with what Morgacj said. Most Filipinos do not avail themselves of preventative healthcare, mostly for financial reasons, as incomes are predominantly low compared to the west. And it is not a priority in their culture, where the same money could be spent on a lechon for all to enjoy. In my experience they wait too long for both health care and dental care. My partner lost two brothers to cancer - it was discovered too late. And I have sent nieces and nephews to the dentist that had never had a checkup, at age 15. Needless to say there were plenty of cavities.

In their traditional agrarian culture this might not have been a problem, but the amount of sugar now being consumed by Filipinos is staggering, so it has become a problem. As has diabetes, which affects 25% of the population (diabetes or pre-diabetes) due to the poor diets among those living in the cities mostly. White rice, white bread, snacks, and lots of pre-packaged foods are very bad for health, yet it comprises a large part of the diet.

I pay as I go when in the Philippines and doctors are inexpensive for the most part, maybe $10-15 for an office visit, but you have to wait in line, as appointments are generally not taken. At Chong Hua or Cebu Doctors Hospital in Cebu that might well take most of a day. We have found the quality of doctors to be hit or miss - some are knowledgeable and honest, a couple we have encountered were not. Anything serious and I would fly back to the States for treatment, or go to Malaysia or Thailand where care is better.

Hospitals generally require payment up front, which is often difficult for locals. We once bought a downed Narra tree from a local guy in the province who needed money for his child's hospitalization. We gave him more than he was asking so he had enough, and had it made into a piece of furniture. And we sometimes help the feisty older lady living nearby pay for her medicine, but we know that she keeps an eye on our house when we're away. This is how things work in the Philippines.

I have read that private hospitals are the best. And you need good health insurance.

Tbloom12 said. . . . I have read that private hospitals are the best. And you need good health insurance.

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My wife was hospitalized three times at Saint Lukes. About $27K including surgery. Ouch out of pocket.

@pnwcyclist

At Chong Hua or Cebu Doctors Hospital in Cebu that might well take most of a day.

The 2 doctors I routinely visit at Chong Hua are listed on the "Now Serving" App and that is how I schedule my appointments. It does not take a day; usually I get seen within an hour of the Now Serving scheduled time. You can also try to call the doctor's secretary by phone or messenger for a time slot but good luck with that. Yes, that could take all day. I pay more like $17.00, not $10.00.

I have read that private hospitals are the best. And you need good health insurance. - @Tbloom12

True, virtually everywhere in the world, so...?

Agree Dan but we are self funded apart from PhilHealth and feel private health insurance like all insurance is mostly a waste of money. I recently saw my Neuro surgeon in our private hospital and her bill was P500 and a few days later the attending doctor while I was in hospital for a lengthy consultation and his bill was P550.

2 days and nights in a private room with a multitude of tests from CT scans to ultrasounds, bloods, all their medications etc. was P 40K.

Thing is it seems to be a great private hospital offering all services and only 25 minutes drive.

Yes we make a booking with the secretary a few days before and normally 1st cab off the rank but always get there half an hour early. I have no complaints with the system here and the surprising thing was the spare bed for my partner labeled as my carer in the room.

Just as happy here as I was in Australia,,,,,, perhaps more so here.

Cheers, Steve. 

@bigpearl

Agree Dan but we are self funded apart from PhilHealth and feel private health insurance like all insurance is mostly a waste of money.

Exactly the same here and we also think the private  insurance here is a waste of money. Many insurance clients apparently do not 1) consider their coverage limits vs premiums paid and 2) do not know that after a certain age (like 65) the insurance company only reimburses the patient, not the hospital, meaning you must pay in cash or use your credit card to be released. So we are self-funded as well. We also quit phil health because as SRRV expats, we were charged 15000 each per year but the one time we used it in 7 years, they only reimbursed about 10000 pesos out of a 150000 peso bill. That is far less than the 20% discount we thought phil health would typically pay. I believe phil health is largely subsidized by foreigners (informal economy) who pay 15000 ot 17000 annual premium and receive much less coverage than regular citizens here, for example, no Z benefits for foreigners. I am fully understanding of the poverty in the Philippines but I decided not to continue to help subsidizing the national health plan. If your phil health is based on a citizen's  plan (formal economy) then of course premiums are very cheap and the PH discount is probably worth it. Also, it is said that PH will get you into the hospital in an emergency if you don't have cash on hand. BS. That may only be true for government hospitals, most of which you would never decide to enter.  In my case, the private hospital never asked to see a PH card, they just wanted you to pay a deposit and a credit card will get you admitted. I doubt that a PH card by itself will get you admitted to Chong Hua in Cebu for example. So based on our experience, PH is useless but I am not surprized if others may have better experiences.

Sorry you had a bad experience with PH Dan and so far not my experience, the rebate on your hospital bill sounds ridiculously low and can't blame you for pulling out of that system but for me my 2 days and nights in hospital and heaps of tests, heart, liver, brain, ultrasounds and blood tests, very accommodating and caring nurses,,,,,, usually 3 to 4 of them every 4 hours and the crappy hospital food, a bed for the better half was all simply showing my PH. card and no deposits or credit cards. At the end the bill was around P60K and after PH. ended at P40K. My P17K was wisely spent and if I have to be re admitted then a bigger saving.

For the better half it's about P6K and we also pay our live in workers PH. another 6K........ chicken sh1t if you need help.

Private health insurance is a rip off and like all insurance companies are there for the profits for the share holders.

So far Dan My experience with PH. has been more than good and we will continue to contribute. The money is sitting there for major events, I and the better half can access the funds if needed instead of pissing the money into lame health insurance companies and earning 5% interest instead.

Choices.

Cheers, Steve.