Best Health Insurance Options for Senior Expats in the Philippines
Senior expats retiring in the Philippines should prioritize securing an international health insurance plan that is both flexible and comprehensive. These plans offer coverage for essential healthcare needs such as cancer screenings, chronic disease management, and preventive care, helping ensure peace of mind during retirement.
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While the Philippines has both public and private healthcare options, many expats prefer private health insurance due to its higher quality care and faster access to services. Choosing the right plan means evaluating coverage, exclusions, and provider reputation to match your medical needs and budget.
Are you an expat living in the Philippines? Are you looking to settle down and retire in the Philippines? Today, we will be going over senior health insurance for expats living in the Philippines to ensure your unique healthcare needs are covered during your retirement.
Why Senior Expats Need Health Insurance in the Philippines
If you’re an expat looking to retire in the Philippines, it’s crucial to seek out international health insurance plans that are not only flexible but also comprehensive so that you can have your specific healthcare needs and treatment covered.
Such coverage areas for treatment and regular healthcare could include coverage for cancer screenings, chronic conditions support and treatment, or regular preventative healthcare.
Make sure to contact your specific international healthcare provider in the Philippines for exact details on price, coverage areas, and age limitations or exclusions. If you are deciding between multiple health insurance plans, be sure to compare and contrast benefits, coverage, and limitations.
Understanding the Philippine Healthcare System
Filipino citizens are entitled to free healthcare under the Philippines’ government-organized health insurance corporation known as PhilHealth, partly funded by government subsidies at the local and national level as well as being financed through companies’ payroll deductions.
PhilHealth covers emergency and urgent care as well as inpatient care and non-emergency surgeries. However, not all medical treatments and costs will be covered.
The Philippines’ healthcare landscape features a combination of government-funded hospitals, private medical facilities, and the option of either using public or private health insurance.
You do not need an appointment in the event of falling ill, which means you can easily seek treatment by visiting your nearest healthcare clinic. However, keep in mind that opting for public hospitals will result in potentially longer waiting times for non-emergency cases.
Fortunately, private hospitals and clinics allow greater access to comprehensive healthcare, featuring shorter waiting times for both emergency and non-emergency cases.
Health Insurance Requirements for Senior Foreign Residents
All expats who are legal residents in the Philippines must sign up for PhilHealth, which is required by law. The registration can be done in person at any local PhilHealth office or online.
How to Register for PhilHealth as a Senior Expat
If you wish to register for PhilHealth offline, below are the steps.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Note that expats are only eligible for PhilHealth if they carry long-term residency visas. These include work visa holders, a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), or a 13A visa.
2. Prepare Your Required Documents
Prepare a PhilHealth membership form, a copy of your ID and passport, your proof of residency, and proof that you hold a visa in the Philippines.
3. Submit Your Application
Locate the nearest local PhilHealth office available to you and submit your application there.
4. Pay Your Contributions
During your registration, make sure you pay your contributions accordingly to qualify as a member of PhilHealth. Such contributions will be calculated based on your income.
5. Claim Your PhilHealth ID
Once the registration is complete, you will then receive a PhilHealth ID featuring your right to enroll in the national insurance scheme in the Philippines and receive healthcare.
Public vs. Private Health Insurance for Expats
The main options for health insurance in the Philippines, much like any other country, include public and private health insurance. Private health insurance, in particular, is not only a preferred option among local citizens but also expats thanks to the top-quality care and added benefits.
Meanwhile, some expats can also sign up for public health insurance plans in the Philippines through their employer or voluntarily.
What to Know About PhilHealth for Expats
Local Filipino citizens receive free public healthcare under PhilHealth. Public health insurance in the Philippines, through health centers and regional or district hospitals, offers basic healthcare services for free or at a subsidized rate.
Expats can obtain health insurance in the Philippines either through a local or international private health insurance plan, or they can also sign up for public healthcare via PhilHealth.
Moreover, hospital visits, examinations, and medication in the Philippines are generally much cheaper than in North America and Europe.
However, a notable drawback of the public healthcare system in the Philippines is the lack of hospitals and clinics. As such, the Philippines has more private hospitals in comparison to public ones.
While the abundance of private hospitals in comparison to public ones may not be an issue for those who can afford such out-of-pocket-payment, the lack of affordable public hospitals may prove to be problematic for average citizens on a budget.
Benefits of Private Health Insurance in the Philippines
Private health insurance in the Philippines is not only a preferred option among locals, but all expats. This is evident in the fact that many Filipino local citizens carry private health insurance coverage, while nearly all expats do.
Aside from health insurance basics offered in public health insurance under PhilHealth, private health insurance allows access to all hospitals and clinics.
Thanks to access to hospitals and clinics not found in public health insurance, patients get more private, secure, comfortable hospital stays. However, do keep in mind that opting for private health insurance in the Philippines means you will have to pay out-of-pocket via cash.
Health Insurance Costs for Senior Expats in the Philippines
The cost of health insurance for expats in the Philippines, as mentioned before, will be calculated based on your income. Below are the corresponding health insurance costs for expats from different income ranges:
- Up to PHP10,000 (approx USD $177.24): PHP450 (approx USD $7.98)
- PHP 10,000-89,000 (approx USD $177.24-$,1577.44): PHP 450-4,050 (approx USD $7.98-$71.78)
- PHP 90,000 (approx USD $1,595.16) and above PHP 4,050 (approx USD $71.78)
Meanwhile, the cost of private health insurance differs based on one’s age, selected insurance provider, coverage areas, and coverage validity period. Expats can expect to pay around PHP 5,650.40-16,951.20 (approx USD $100-300).
When you’re selecting and comparing different health insurance plans in the Philippines, make sure to consider factors such as your desired coverage area, additional benefits you’d like to add to your existing plan, cost, and the reputation of the health insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can expats secure health insurance in the Philippines?
Expats living in the Philippines can apply for private health insurance through a broker or directly with any health insurance provider. Expats also have the option of signing up for the Philippines’ health insurance corporation, PhilHealth.
What are some known health issues for seniors?
Older adults are at risk for chronic health issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, falling is a leading cause of injuries for this age group. Fortunately, physical activity can help older adults prevent chronic diseases and fall-related issues.
Is healthcare expensive in the Philippines?
Healthcare in the Philippines is relatively expensive. One average hospital stay could set you back about PHP 2,500 (approx USD $44.45), while ICU stays could cost PHP 30,000 per night (approx USD $533.40). These don’t include doctor’s fees, laboratory fees, medicine, and other incidental costs.
How much is a doctor’s fee for a private hospital in the Philippines?
In private hospitals, a doctor’s visit ranges from PHP 700-1000 (approx USD $12.45-$17.78). Meanwhile, a general practitioner consultation for public hospitals ranges from PHP 300-500 (approx USD $5.33-$8.89).
Does Medicare cover me when I’m in the Philippines?
Assuming you’re an expat from the US living in the Philippines, please keep in mind that Medicare will not cover you. This is because Medicare only provides coverage within the US and its territory borders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s crucial for expats looking to retire in the Philippines to select the most comprehensive, flexible international health insurance plan as possible. Whichever plan they opt for, it should cover unique healthcare needs such as cancer screenings or regular preventative healthcare.
When it comes to health insurance plans, you have public and private health insurance to choose from. On one hand, public health insurance is affordable but lacks hospitals and clinics, while private health insurance allows full access to hospitals and clinics but comes in at a much higher cost.
As a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has 20 years of matching both expats and locals to the health insurance plan that matches both their comfortable budget and specific healthcare needs.
Whether you’re an expat living in the Philippines, or a local Filipino citizen yourself, Pacific Prime and our team of experts will be more than happy to help you out. And if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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