health ins.

[mikeshane]

You can get insurance from many companies in the Philippine. One of hte first options is for you wife to get philhealth (the national government sponsored insurance) and she can add you to that. That only pays a minimum amount but private insurance is secondary to that.

For private insurance, there are many options. We have an insurance plan that accepted at most hotipitals in Pampanga and several of the large (good) hispitals in Manila. The one thing about the plans is that there is a very low cap on annual payouts. Mine is 120,000, pays for a large private room, anual heath exams, etc. and costs about 7000 per year (per person).

Before we had this we had to pay about 400k over the last 4 years from births of 3 babies that were boarderline premi and in NICU; emergency trips for dehidration, smal accidents, etc.; gall bladder operation for my mother in law, colonoscopy, etc.

You can also get a suplimental plan that pays like 500-1000 per day for every day you are in the hospital. Those also are very inexensive.

Mike

[mogo51]

[QUOTE=Gene and Viol;523662][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][B][I]Glad to hear that and makes me wonder if you might have had a form of heat stroke-especially

Aussie. Sorry to be an annoyance, but want to try and cover all bases for when I get to move over. My time in Thailand was a classic example of me not doing sufficient homework before making the decision. When there, I continued to make similar stupid decisions ie. buying a guesthouse. As I cannot stay here much longer, but have booked a ticket for October which was going to be a recon but might turn out to be the main move, will pay it by ear.
When in Thailand for first year took out very expensive health insurance with Bupa and they welshed several times on claims, so not keen on that idea. Someone has suggested to me that you can take out travel insurance for 12 months that will cover you but wonder what is the deal from there on. Your suggestions that you put a bank aside but in Thailand, if going to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya it would need to be a big bank.
Do you have other suggestions, other than going home if really sick? Ron
ps. also what is it like where you are living, is there a good foreign community and a social interaction there. I also know the need to keep in step with other foreginers. Hope you do not mind me seeking your advice, marked you as somone who is sensible and knows what is happening there. Ron

[patmdca]

Hi Gene, talking about motorcycle...what are the rules in Philippines concerning helmet? When i was there, i did not see anyone wearing helmet with small bike 125 cc but what about bigger bike like 650 and up...is it mandatory?

John

[Phil_expat]

[quote=mogo51;543568]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][B][I]Glad to hear that and makes me wonder if you might have had a form of heat stroke-especially

Aussie. Sorry to be an annoyance, but want to try and cover all bases for when I get to move over. My time in Thailand was a classic example of me not doing sufficient homework before making the decision. When there, I continued to make similar stupid decisions ie. buying a guesthouse. As I cannot stay here much longer, but have booked a ticket for October which was going to be a recon but might turn out to be the main move, will pay it by ear.
When in Thailand for first year took out very expensive health insurance with Bupa and they welshed several times on claims, so not keen on that idea. Someone has suggested to me that you can take out travel insurance for 12 months that will cover you but wonder what is the deal from there on. Your suggestions that you put a bank aside but in Thailand, if going to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya it would need to be a big bank.
Do you have other suggestions, other than going home if really sick? Ron
ps. also what is it like where you are living, is there a good foreign community and a social interaction there. I also know the need to keep in step with other foreginers. Hope you do not mind me seeking your advice, marked you as somone who is sensible and knows what is happening there. Ron

What I do and most of my friends also is give our wife/GF an allowance and out of that SHE helps her family, never ask me. The word is help NOT support. Philippines is a cruel place to live if poor and it will be hard to ignore all emergencies. I have not been to Thailand but those that have told me women are MORE money motivated there. English is widely used in the Philippines so communication with a simple woman has not been a major problem for me.

[Gene and Viol]

[quote=mogo51;543568]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][B][I]Glad to hear that and makes me wonder if you might have had a form of heat stroke-especially

Aussie. Sorry to be an annoyance, but want to try and cover all bases for when I get to move over. My time in Thailand was a classic example of me not doing sufficient homework before making the decision. When there, I continued to make similar stupid decisions ie. buying a guesthouse. As I cannot stay here much longer, but have booked a ticket for October which was going to be a recon but might turn out to be the main move, will pay it by ear.
When in Thailand for first year took out very expensive health insurance with Bupa and they welshed several times on claims, so not keen on that idea. Someone has suggested to me that you can take out travel insurance for 12 months that will cover you but wonder what is the deal from there on. Your suggestions that you put a bank aside but in Thailand, if going to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya it would need to be a big bank.
Do you have other suggestions, other than going home if really sick? Ron
ps. also what is it like where you are living, is there a good foreign community and a social interaction there. I also know the need to keep in step with other foreginers. Hope you do not mind me seeking your advice, marked you as somone who is sensible and knows what is happening there. Ron

Ron,

Not sure if your message is meant for me or not as it says aussie at the beginning.
There are many companies in the Philippines selling many things and that includes insurance.

The years spent living here has shown and taught me to be extremely careful. A good percentage of businesses are corrupt and those that are not might just as well be when trying to get services promised or contracted for.

Travel insurance is a good thing if going to a large, modern country. Don't know about finding someone to accept that insurance here as even to be admitted to a hospital they want a cash deposit.

For extremely serious health problems, if able to travel many do return to their home country for "qualified" treatment. Hospitals in Manila are of better quality than in outlying areas and same goes for the ability of the doctors.
Unless one is a medical expert, trusting your life to a local doctor here can quickly cost you your life.

The most active foreign community that I know of would be in Angeles City. Primarily because there are so many there for the girls. So, many get to know each other visiting in restaurants etc.
The small town where we are fairy close to Angeles there are five or six foreigners. I see and visit with one or two from time to time but mostly am too busy with family activities to do much. Also I'm not out chasing the girls so don't run into many other expats.

If your trip in October looks to actually be your moving date, I would strongly suggest the Subic Bay area. Makes a good home base while looking for just the right place. If you are like many others, you might like it well enough to stay right there.


Gene...

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by patmdca

Hi Gene, talking about motorcycle...what are the rules in Philippines concerning helmet? When i was there, i did not see anyone wearing helmet with small bike 125 cc but what about bigger bike like 650 and up...is it mandatory?

John

Hi John,

For riding a motor here it is required that the driver wear a helmet no matter the engine or bike size.
You right, most locals here never use a helmet and seem to get away with it. As a foreign visitor I would not ever try it. First because driving here is too dangerous to not use one. Second, the police like nothing better than to get a foreigner for ANY infraction of law. You will pay a VERY HIGH roadside fine directly to the officer to make the problem "go away."


Gene...

[patmdca]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

Hi John,

For riding a motor here it is required that the driver wear a helmet no matter the engine or bike size.
You right, most locals here never use a helmet and seem to get away with it. As a foreign visitor I would not ever try it. First because driving here is too dangerous to not use one. Second, the police like nothing better than to get a foreigner for ANY infraction of law. You will pay a VERY HIGH roadside fine directly to the officer to make the problem "go away."


Gene...

thank you Gene, i don't know why i'm not surprised with the answer. lol
By the way Boston have won Stanley cup!!

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by patmdca

thank you Gene, i don't know why i'm not surprised with the answer. lol
By the way Boston have won Stanley cup!!

I was not able to see the game here but was waiting to see who the winner was. Another expat that lives close to us is from and in Canada at the moment and would have been watching the game.
I think the best team won this time myself.


Gene...

[mogo51]

[
hi Gene,
sorry it was meant for you, somehow, I scrubbed off the first part of the sentence, not much of a computer buff I am afraid.
Apart from a long term back problem, my health is pretty good, but get your drift re local insurers, I should have added, that I would obtain it from Aus before I come over. But think there is some requirements that you must spend a certain of time here in Aus in that 12 months. wil check it out.
I read a blog today from somoeone suggesting that the best way to find a decent place of abode is to get there and leg it around to communities for private rentals.
These are everywhere in Thailand also, so sound like a reasonable suggestion.
I am sorry if I am being a burden, if so, tell me to drop off, but really want to make the right choice and want to find as much info as possible.
I botched my first attempt in Thailand due to lack of preparation, dont want to repeat the dose.

Many thanks, Ron
QUOTE=Gene and Viol;543683]

Originally Posted by mogo51

Ron,

Not sure if your message is meant for me or not as it says aussie at the beginning.
There are many companies in the Philippines selling many things and that includes insurance.

The years spent living here has shown and taught me to be extremely careful. A good percentage of businesses are corrupt and those that are not might just as well be when trying to get services promised or contracted for.

Travel insurance is a good thing if going to a large, modern country. Don't know about finding someone to accept that insurance here as even to be admitted to a hospital they want a cash deposit.

For extremely serious health problems, if able to travel many do return to their home country for "qualified" treatment. Hospitals in Manila are of better quality than in outlying areas and same goes for the ability of the doctors.
Unless one is a medical expert, trusting your life to a local doctor here can quickly cost you your life.

The most active foreign community that I know of would be in Angeles City. Primarily because there are so many there for the girls. So, many get to know each other visiting in restaurants etc.
The small town where we are fairy close to Angeles there are five or six foreigners. I see and visit with one or two from time to time but mostly am too busy with family activities to do much. Also I'm not out chasing the girls so don't run into many other expats.

If your trip in October looks to actually be your moving date, I would strongly suggest the Subic Bay area. Makes a good home base while looking for just the right place. If you are like many others, you might like it well enough to stay right there.


Gene...

[mogo51]

thans for your assistance also. From responses so far, it appears that the same culture exists regarding obligations to extended family of partner there? This is very prevalent in Thailand and something that I have problem getting my head around.'
Is this just something that I will have to accept as a requirement? regards, ron

Originally Posted by mikeshane

You can get insurance from many companies in the Philippine. One of hte first options is for you wife to get philhealth (the national government sponsored insurance) and she can add you to that. That only pays a minimum amount but private insurance is secondary to that.

For private insurance, there are many options. We have an insurance plan that accepted at most hotipitals in Pampanga and several of the large (good) hispitals in Manila. The one thing about the plans is that there is a very low cap on annual payouts. Mine is 120,000, pays for a large private room, anual heath exams, etc. and costs about 7000 per year (per person).

Before we had this we had to pay about 400k over the last 4 years from births of 3 babies that were boarderline premi and in NICU; emergency trips for dehidration, smal accidents, etc.; gall bladder operation for my mother in law, colonoscopy, etc.

You can also get a suplimental plan that pays like 500-1000 per day for every day you are in the hospital. Those also are very inexensive.

Mike