Medical Malpractice

Does Philheath cover all medical costs at Government hospitals ?

We in the UK look with envy and deep appreciation to the Philippines. We understand you have a great health care system with universal coverage, known as Philhealth. We understand it costs 100 pesos per family per month and covers all necessary treatment in Government hospitals, or for a supplemental fee, in private hospitals with private rooms and very good food. We would all love to come to the Philippines to live and to retire in paradise, but because we have only small pensions from our dearly beloved UK government we must be sure we could afford it. So please confirm our thinking is correct then we'll jump on the plane. Mabuhay !

Public Comments

1. Philhealth is a good deal, but only goes so far. It pays 25% of the hospital costs up to a maximum of P100,000 per family per year. You also need to be a Philippine citizen to be eligable for coverage or married to one. Government hosptals here are poorly staffed, equipped and funded. Private hospitals are better, but much more expensive.
2. No it does NOT and it takes forever to claim coverage!!! PhilHealth (I've heard from relatives) is such a scam. I'm working as a nurse here in the UK and Filipinos should envy the health care system here and not the other way around. And don't kid yourself... your pension is a lot more than enough to live the rest of your days in luxury in the Philippines.
3. at best it covers 1/10 of your hospitalization. would only pay primary care physicians and will not include specialist. like, if you have cancer, you only pay the family practitioner but you have to pay for the oncologist. the reason why a lot of filipinos are immigrating to other countries because they want to provide for the future.
4. Philhealth covers a variable percentage of hospitalization costs. Social Security covers some others (known as sickness benefit). Hearsay (or heard from so-and-so) is not a valid basis for saying that it's a scam. I've been a Human Resource specialist in Manila for 15 years and have seen that Philhealth and Social Security benefits really work for the patient.