Philippines Health Insurance Advice
Global Health Insurance is a market leading medical and healthcare brokerage. We offer Philippines insurance health advice to the expatriate community and pride ourselves on searching and selecting the right plan for you. As the Philippines insurance health plan market continues to grow there is an even greater need for good quality advice and recommendations. Our international medical consultants constantly search the market for new policies that may better serve the needs and requirements of our Philippines insurance health plan clients.
- Individual Plans
Philippines insurance health plans designed for individuals. These plans are flexible, annually renewable and can be tailored to meet your specific medical requirements.
- Family Plans
Family is the most important thing in many of our lives. Our medical consultants can recommend international health insurance cover to provide protection for all the family.
- Group Plans
Medical insurance is vital for today’s business. Executives often travel extensively in the course of their job and we can advise you on what levels of cover are needed and can often obtain group discounts on your behalf.
- Travel Plans
Philippines insurance health plans designed for people visiting or working in Hong Kong. Policies can be tailored for either for the short or medium term, but the trip cannot exceed 12 months.
Global Health Insurance aims to provide you with the complete insurance solution; everything from choosing the right medical plan to reimbursement of claims to choosing your hospital. This is all done in an efficient, customer focused manner ensuring your Philippines insurance health plan gives the right cover for you.
The Republic of the Philippines is an island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean, to the south of Taiwan and to the north-east of Malaysia and Indonesia. The Philippines comprises over 7,100 islands and the country has been divided into three main geographical areas, namely Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas, with an estimated population of 94 million. The capital city Manila was once the Asian hub for the 16th century Spanish fleet which resulted in immigrants arriving from neighboring countries, which has provided the Filipino culture with strong Hindu, Malay and Muslim influences. The establishment of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946 was preceded by American sovereignty and a period of Japanese control during World War II. The Philippine economy has diversified from being traditionally based on agriculture to one based on manufacturing and services, with the services sector now accounting for 57 per cent of GDP and employing 47 per cent of the national workforce.
The Philippines is a tropical climate and its location along the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ makes it vulnerable to typhoons and earthquakes but also to rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources.
Philippines Health Care and Insurance
The Department of Health (DOH) oversees the provision of health care services in the Philippines, with the aim of providing sustainable and quality health care for all citizens. Public health facilities operate alongside those of the private sector and in terms of the quality of health care services available, there is little difference between the two. Overall, the quality of health care services in the Philippines is deemed to be reliable and adequate. Doctors, nurses and other medical health personnel are trained to a high standard and English is widely spoken. Filipino citizens are entitled to free medical treatment at state run facilities. Expatriates and travelers in the Philippines are required to pay in cash before any treatment or consultation takes place. Therefore, purchasing international Philippines health insurance is strongly advised.
Health expenditures account for approximately 6 per cent of total government spending. In terms of GDP, this represents a figure of roughly 4 per cent. This figure can then be further broken down to show that 67 per cent of total health spending comes from the private sector, with 33 per cent provided by the government through the public sector. The government’s contribution to national health care financing continues to decrease which is placing a heavy burden on the private health sector. There is no national health insurance scheme in place in the Philippines and state funding is derived from income tax generated. As a result of this lack of funding, general improvements in standards and infrastructure at public health facilities are not expected in the near future.
It is estimated that 60 per cent of the country’s health facilities are operated by the private sector. The main tertiary hospitals are run by private companies and are furnished with up-to-date equipment and medicines. Private health clinics and hospitals can be found in all cities and large urban areas and the main private hospitals include St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, the Makati Medical Center and the Medical Center in Alabang. These hospitals are popular with expatriates and tourists for their attentive service and state of the art facilities. Costs and expenses associated with treatment at private health facilities are more expensive than their public counterparts and as such travelers and expatriates are encouraged to invest in an international Philippines health insurance policy.
Philippines Travel Insurance Concerns
A number of diseases and illnesses are prevalent to regions of the Philippines and a consultation with a travel health specialist at least four weeks prior to your arrival is advised. The routine vaccination such as the MMR and DPT should be updated as required. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and Rabies are also recommended. Malaria is prevalent in rural areas on the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, and Palawan. Some incidents of Dengue fever have been reported in 2011, and like Malaria, it is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Reducing the risk of insect bites can help prevent the spread of these diseases. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection present in contaminated fresh water is common in tropical areas of Southeast Asia and as such, recreational sports, swimming and bathing in fresh water areas is not recommended.
Medical training universities and centers in the Philippines produce excellent and highly qualified health professionals. Most will have spent some time abroad studying and working in Western cities. Regrettably, up to 70 percent of nursing graduates decline offers of employment in the Philippines and choose to work abroad, with a majority traveling to the United States and Europe. A high level of corruption within public office also has a detrimental effect on staff morale in the public health sector. Insufficient numbers of health personnel combined with large numbers of Filipino citizens visiting public health facilities has created a situation were waiting times can be frustratingly long, even for simple consultations or procedures. Waiting times at private health facilities are considerably shorter and holders of international Philippines health insurance can enjoy easy access to such facilities.
There is a high threat from terrorist activity in the Philippines, particularly in the southern region of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Many foreign embassies advise against all but essential travel to the area. Crime levels are quite high throughout all regions of the Philippines and expatriates and travelers are advised to avoid carrying large quantities of cash and other valuables. Travel documents should be kept in a safe place with only photocopies being kept on person. The Philippine typhoon season typically runs from July to November and on average eight typhoons make landfall each year causing considerable damage to property and infrastructure. Travelers and expatriates should adhere to national and local weather warnings.
Philippines Expat Health Insurance
Increasing numbers of expatriates and tourists are choosing to relocate to and visit the Philippines. One understandable concern is that in the event of a medical emergency, what standard of health care is available to them. The overall quality of health care in the Philippines is good although it is not at international or Western standards. Private health facilities possess modern equipment, well trained staff and can guarantee fast access to personnel although they will require cash payment in advance of any treatment. It is therefore important to ensure you have adequate protection against all possible medical situations. International health insurance policies can be tailored to include benefits such as maternal, dental, in-patient care and more. Global Health International can assist you, free of charge, through the various policies and products available that offer you and your family sufficient protection. For more information on Philippines health insurance plans please contact a Global Health International advisor today.
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Recent Questions / Comments:
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| Hi, My mom will be coming from north africa to visit me in the USA and stay for acouple of weeks. Recently she has been having a heavy hand and legs feeling. She has been prescribed a medication that is usualy prescribed for patients with mild parkinson's. I would like to get some second opinion and test(scans) performed on her in the USA. I don't think that she has parkinson's and I would like to confirn this in a center/hospital that I trust. My mom has an inssurance coverage with mutuelle Maroc,which is a partner with SwissLife and AXA. I wonder if she can get an international coverage with your company that will covers specialist evaluation, MRI, and oether scans if necessary. Thank you | |
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| Hi, We (Doanldson Europe BVBA in Belgium) are looking for a hosptal & medical insurance for one of our families (family van den Enden) we are relocating to Brockville, Canada. Up till now we haven't found an insurance compay willing to cover the pre-existing condition of Mrs. van den Enden which is bronchial asthma. Would you be able to offer us a solution with an insurance who is willing to cover also the pre-existing condition. Thanks in advance for your reply, Veerle Matthijs | |
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| do you have any insurance plan for Ivf treatment? Like if the first attempt is not successful then is there any plan to cover the next attempt? | |
