Between 2007 and 2008, there were rumors and reports that US coverage of Medicare in the Philippines was possible. Usually, US Medicare coverage is limited to all 50 states. Has Medicare finally moved the laptop? This article explores the truth behind the negotiations.
Look back
According to estimates, out of 4 million legally residing Filipinos in America in 2008, approximately 80 percent hold US citizenship, and the number is covered by Medicare.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program in America. It was first established in 1965 for citizens aged 65 and over. In 1972, the program was revised, which allowed young people with Lou Gehrig's disease, permanent disability and complications of renal failure at the final stage for registration.
Understanding the structure
Medicare is a collective term that can include a number of plans:
- original Medicare, which provides hospital and medical insurance
- Medicare Advantage, which provides both basic and additional medical services offered by private health organizations (HMOs) and
- prescription drug plans that may or may not be tied to a Medicare Advantage plan
In addition, Medigap has plans to supplement what the original Medicare does not cover. They are offered by private insurance companies.
The current policy is indicated by the letter C from J. However, in a bulletin published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, new plans for Medigap M and N will replace plans H, I, E and J, starting June 1 of this year,
Medicare offshore coverage in theory
According to the original plan, circumstances that allow for tolerability of Medicare are limited. Coverage outside of America is permitted when a foreign hospital is closer than any other hospital on American soil. In rare cases of emergency, those traveling “without unreasonable delay” through Canada can also take advantage of offshore insurance - again it is envisaged that the Canadian hospital is much closer than the American hospital.
In March 2010, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines confirmed that according to the original Medicare plan:
"... Residents of Guam and Saipan ... are allowed to seek medical help ... for emergency cases, taking advantage of their Medicare benefits in Philippine medical institutions because of the abundance of the Philippines with respect to Hawaii, the nearest US state."
This development is attributed to the efforts of Madeleine Boordallo, the congressman of Guam and Roberto Romulo, the former secretary of foreign affairs, who lobbied that the Philippine hospitals were allowed to issue compensation through Medicare.
Medicare offshore coverage in practice
My Filipino retirement made a round of phone calls to see if hospitals in the Philippines received Medicare under the original plan. The staff said that there were no recorded cases yet. In fact, most hospitals did not seem to know about US Medicare.
They provided the following list of honorable international health insurance plans, some of which are tied to Medicare Advantage plans:
LIST A. International medical insurances that have been noted in selected Filipino hospitals based on Luzon as of March 2010
- (Allianz) Worldwide Aid - Asian Hospital
- AETNA - Asian Hospital
- AETNA Global Benefit - Makati Medical Center
- Alliance - Asian Hospital
- Blue Cross International - Asian Hospital
- Blue Shield - Asian Hospital
- Calvo - St. Luke's Hospital
- CIGNA - Asian Hospital
- GMC Services - Makati Medical Center
- HTH World Wide - Makati Medical Center
- IMA - Makati Medical Center
- IMG - Asian Hospital
- Danish International Medical Insurance - Makati Medical Center
- SOS International Medical Center - Makati
- Net Care - Asian Hospital, Makati Medical Center
- Pacific International - Asian Hospital
- Prestige International - Makati Medical Center
- StayWell - St. Luke's Hospital
- TakeCare - Asian Hospital
- TieCare - Asian Hospital, Makati Medical Center
- Vanbreda International - Asian Hospital, Makati Medical Center
- William Russell - Asian Hospital
The use of insurance benefits depends on the organization of the health care service (HMO), insurance plan and hospital care. The insured should know about their Medicare Advantage benefits from the HMO or the name of the plan. Specific concerns can be sent to the appropriate customer care and credit / billing departments at the hospital.
LIST B. Contact information for selected hospitals at the University of the Philippines that respect international insurance policies with possible links to Medicare benefits.
- Asian hospital and medical center: info@asianhospital.com * +63 (2) 771-9000 / +63 (2) 876-5838
- Makati Medical Center: sales@makatimed.net.ph * +63 (2) 870-3000 / +63 (2) 870-3008
- St. Luke’s Hospital: info@stluke.com.ph * +63 (2) 723-0101 / +63 (2) 723-0301
Impact on Philippine Retirement Decisions
The availability of health services in the Philippines is somewhat boosted by a “pay you like” system, but a recent turn of events is changing how potential retirees see juvenile “cash first” inconveniences.
One such development is the direction that Medicare mobility manages. Statistical trends show that by 2011 Medicare spending will soon exceed the income earned from the trust fund. This can be prevented when cheaper offshore facilities are used to provide medical services of the same quality offered in the US, experts explain.
Another highlight is the health care reform bill on patient protection and affordable care, which President Barack Obama signed in March 2010. The current reform makes it possible to cover offshore coverage and insurance for people with pre-existing health conditions. There will also be a minimum annual tax penalty of $ 695 for those who are unable to provide health insurance - now this is no longer just an option, but a requirement.
Many US taxpayers are concerned that the latest health care reform will come with a higher price. “I expect my premium (monthly payments) to increase from $ 100 to over $ 500,” fears Terry, who works in the federal government and hopes to retire in 2020.
Low wages (and savings), combined with the fact that US coverage of Medicare in the Philippines is possible (mainly through Medicare Advantage plans), encourages former Filipinos, such as Terry, to redefine the Philippines as a good place to get cheap but decent health care - but the “best hit” for dollar earnings. *
