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How bad is healthcare in the Philippines?
lowduckdork
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How bad is healthcare in the Philippines?
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I am an American who had a heart attack while staying in Manila in 2009. I took a taxi to the University of Perpetual Care Medical Center, one of the primary hospitals in the Country (The taxi driver broke the speed limits getting there because he didn't want me dying in his cab).Once there, I was quickly taken in for diagnosis. I had a blocked artery. I was informed I needed surgery. In less than an hour I was taken into the OR for an operation where they inserted two stents. The doctor was knowledgeable, kind and after the operation the staff gave him a round of applause for his work. I stayed in the hospital for four days during which I had tests proving my blood circulation to the heart was good. The only complaint I had was the food. It was probably the most boring food I have ever eaten: Absolutely no seasoning, no salt, no pepper. But I was alive.The bill was $25,000 or one million pesos. I contacted Kaiser-Permanente in Portland, my HMO, and they promptly paid the bill. I was very satisfied with this Filipino institution and its staff.When I got back to Portland I spoke with a K-P customer service representative. They said Kaiser was very happy to pay the bill. It the surgery had been done in Portland, It would have cost $80,000.A couple years later I needed medical service in Negros Oriental. The hospital was small, but efficient. And there was no charge for the x-rays and diagnosis. I did have to pay for the medications.On the whole Filipino medical service was quite good. I am sure there are places in the Philippines where the service is not as good as what I experienced. But that's true in any country -including the U.S.Sincerely,Ted Hoff
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I have AFib and it hits about once a year. So recently I had my first taste of Filipino Medicine. I live in Cebu and everyone has told me the Chung Hwa Hospital is the ONLY one to go to for world-class care. And they were right. I had an episode of AFib early back in May, early in the morning while I was riding my motorcycle to the gym. I have a cardio app on my phone and it said “Call 911.” 🙂 So I called my wife and then went straight to the hospital. They diagnosed me quickly and professionally and got my heart rhythm under control with medication in just a few minutes…just like in the US. They ran a test to make sure I wasn’t having a heart attack and then set me up with an appointment to see the cardiologists. And the good news…P3,500 was the bill…and they apologized for it being so high. That’s a little less than $70. Now, I must warn you. Keep cash handy. I have an account with adequate cash to cover any emergencies in a Philippine bank with an ATM card. That’s important because the hospitals basically hold you hostage until you pay. I have TriCare Prime because I’m retired military, so I just pay in cash, get receipts, and then submit a claim. They didn’t even make me pay deductible. They just paid me back the entire $35. I guess they knew what a great deal that was. Now with that said, I would highly recommend that if you have a condition that might require attention, stay in a big city like Manila, Cebu or Davao. I have heard horror stories about small hospitals in remote areas. Make sure you have reliable transportation set up for anytime of day or night. Don’t count on an Ambulance. Better to take a chance in a taxi, or have your wife or neighbor drive you. So in summary I can personally attest to the fact that top quality care in available, contingent on your location and ability to pay.