The Truth About U. s. Medicare Benefits On Filipino Soil

The Truth About U. s. Medicare Benefits On Filipino Soil

Many balikbayans worry that exit America would mean forfeiting their U. S. Medicare benefits. Talks about the extended and out - of - the - country coverage of U. S. Medicare mushroomed in 2007. ( Early references are available at the My Philippine Retirement website ). Is U. S. Medicare portability a rumor or a actuality?
U. S. MEDICARE BASICS
U. S. Medicare, created in 1965, was originally intended for American retirees. The program was later revised to cover not just the retirees, but also the younger population who may be suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease, end - stage renal disease and lifelong disabilities.
While the program does not offer completely free health care, it does termination 80 percent of the bills. The program has a 3 - part structure:
* Original. Part A offers hospital insurance and inpatient hospital care, while Part B offers medical insurance and outpatient hospital services, to contain emergency ambulance, preventive care and visits to the doctor.
* Medicare Advantage. Part C covers the basic health care of the original plan plus additional services jibing eye care and dental care. This plan can be availed through private enrolment in accredited health maintenance organizations ( HMOs ).
* Prescription Drug. Part D deals exclusively with prescription drugs. It is available as a stand - alone option or as a tie - up option to an existing U. S. Medicare Advantage plan.
Since the original structure is not comprehensive, Medigap plans offered by private insurance companies are there to supplement a host of major health care.
Standard Medigap plans are referenced as enlightenment C to J, but on June 1, 2010, the U. S. Department of Health Services is impending to introduce new policies M and N in lieu of H, I, J and E.
U. S. MEDICARE PORTABILITY
U. S. Medicare coverage in a foreign hospital is limited, with very few exceptions: ( 1 ) when the insured resides in the U. S. but the most meeting hospital is a non - U. S. department, or ( 2 ) when an emergency arises while the insured is travelling “without unreasonable delay” between Alaska and further U. S. state, and a Canada - based hospital is the nearest abode to question emergency care.
In Pace this year, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA ) announced that original U. S. Medicare benefits can also be enjoyed in Philippine - based hospitals.
The arrangement is limited though. The report explains: “Residents of Guam and Saipan… are allowed to traverse medical treatment outside of the U. S. … on emergency cases… due to the proximity of the Philippines vis - เ - vis Hawaii, the succeeding U. S. state. ”
There are at primordial two names that paved the way for U. S. Medicare portability in the Philippines, reports attribute: Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and then Philippine DFA Secretary Roberto Romulo.
THE REAL SCENARIO
To countenance U. S. Medicare portability rumors, My Philippine Retirement called up three Manila - based hospitals which – as claimed by a San Francisco Chronicle article – have been processing reimbursements since 2009.
The findings: There are no records yet of original U. S. Medicare reimbursements. However, there are a number of international health insurances with U. S. Medicare Advantage tie - ups:
* Asian Hospital and Medical Center - ( Allianz ) Worldwide Care, William Russel, Vanbreda International, TieCare, TakeCare, Entangle Care, CIGNA, Calming International, IMG, Blue Obscure, Woebegone Petulant International, Alliance and AETNA. E - mail info@asianhospital. com or call + 63 ( 2 ) 771 - 9000, 876 - 5838.
* Makati Medical Center - Vanbreda International, TieCare, International SOS, Dignity International, Net Care, International Health Insurance of Denmark, IMA, HTH World Subterranean, GMC Services, and AETNA Global Benefit. E - mail sales@makatimed. enmesh. ph or detail + 63 ( 2 ) 870 - 3000 or 870 - 3008.
* St. Luke’s Hospital – StayWell and Calvo’s. E - mail info@stluke. com. ph or portray + 63 ( 2 ) 723 - 0101 or 723 - 0301.
Note: The list is up to rendezvous as of Footslog 2010. It is essential to touch to the insurance plan by name over majority of the hospital personnel are not utterly aware of U. S. Medicare details.
U. S. MEDICARE OFF - Lining COVERAGE AND PHILIPPINE RETIREMENT
In 2011, U. S. Medicare expenditures will prompt the revenues, experts predict. Several publications demonstrate that this can be prevented through off - stanchion coverage where the same health care quality can be enjoyed at a reduced cost. This is the direction where U. S. Medicare’s Part C is headed.
The recently signed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by U. S. President Obama is also expected to influence the retirement plans of former Filipinos and U. S. tax payers. Many conclude that the “better” health service promised by the latest reform may not necessarily come out cheap.
Take, for instance, Terry who will be unambitious a decade from now. “I’m anticipating my… premiums to increase from 100 dollars a month to over 500 dollars, ” canary reveals. Her current funny book health insurance premium ad hoc covers her and her maintain.
They earlier agreed to call the U. S. their durable home, but are now open to becoming balikbayans upon retirement. When it comes to health care, Terry explains, it seems as if the health care services in the Philippines will give the “best bang for our buck. ”
Terry will be respectful in the next 10 years. *