Philippine medical system sucks.

[keith britten]

I'm just experiencing the Philippine medical system, my father in law is sick in hospital, he's been there 6 days and is not showing any improvement. I'm not a qualified medical practitioner but what I see is just a money making factory. Every thing has to be paid for up front, we have to buy our own blood if we can find it or bribe someone to donate then there is no guarantee that the blood is good. I'd advise all British subjects that if they get sick buy an air ticket back to the uk, it will be a lot cheaper and you will probably live longer.

[Tawi2]

I can sense your frustration keith,hope your father-in-law recovers,like yourself I have visited relatives in Dabaw hospitals and like yourself I have paid bills,just one of those things,its their system,paradise has thorns.

[Terpe]

.... I'd advise all British subjects that if they get sick buy an air ticket back to the uk, it will be a lot cheaper and you will probably live longer.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're experiencing.

I've experienced exactly the same with my bro-in-law last year so I fully understand.

Concerning jumping on a plane to UK for medical treatment, there are some horror stories about that too.
Strictly speaking after 3 months away from UK your entitlement to free NHS treatment is in doubt. Even if you find a way to secure free treatment, you would have to repay all costs if you decide to return to Phils.

Up to date information about eligibility for free NHS treatment can be found in the publication Guidance On Implementing The Overseas Visitors Hospital Charging Regulations

This is highly recommended reading for all those thinking about relocating and also thinking the NHS is their back-up.

[stevewool]

Concerning jumping on a plane to UK for medical treatment, there are some horror stories about that too.
Strictly speaking after 3 months away from UK your entitlement to free NHS treatment is in doubt. Even if you find a way to secure free treatment, you would have to repay all costs if you decide to return to Phils.

Up to date information about eligibility for free NHS treatment can be found in the publication Guidance On Implementing The Overseas Visitors Hospital Charging Regulations

This is highly recommended reading for all those thinking about relocating and also thinking the NHS is their back-up.

90 pages Peter i shall read that another day

[Terpe]

90 pages Peter i shall read that another day

You need only read the first three short paragraphs:-

1.1 This guidance concerns what should happen when a person who is not ordinarily resident in the UK needs NHS treatment provided by a hospital in England. Such a person will be subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011, as amended (the “Charging Regulations”). A person who is not ‘ordinarily resident’ in the
UK falls within the definition of an overseas visitor (regulation 2) and may incur a charge for treatment.

1.2 ‘Ordinary residence’ means, broadly, living in the UK on a lawful, voluntary and properly settled basis for the time being. It is defined in detail at paragraphs 3.4 to 3.16. A person who is not ordinarily resident in this country at the time of treatment is not automatically entitled to NHS hospital treatment free of charge. A person who is ordinarily resident is not subjected to this charging regime.

1.3 A person does not become ordinarily resident in the UK simply by: having British nationality; holding a British passport; being registered with a GP; having an NHS number; owning property in the UK, or having paid (or currently paying) National Insurance contributions and taxes in this country. Whether a person is ordinarily resident is a question of fact, for which a number of factors are taken into account.

[stevewool]

You need only read the first three short paragraphs:-

wow having just read quicky there is that many different ways of reading this and how its understood,i think best of all is to borrow that spade if needed from the other comment of yours

[keith britten]

Regulation 23(a) – UK state pensioners
3.98 UK state pensioners who have lived lawfully in the UK, or been employed by the UK
government, for ten continuous years at some point are exempt from charges for treatment
the need for which arises during the visit to the UK. This is regardless of where they are
now residing, how long each year they reside there or if they have registered as resident
there.
Examples of evidence:
- (a) confirmation in receipt of UK state pension (not private or occupational pension) –
e.g. pension slip, pink form BR 464, confirmation from DWP; and
- (b) proof of ten years continuous residence e.g. previous job, schools attended,
previous address(es).
3.99 This exemption extends to their spouse/civil partner and/or dependent children if they are
lawfully present on a permanent basis with the UK state pensioner whilst the UK state
pensioner is visiting the UK.
3.100 See also regulation 16, which also concerns UK state pension holders, to see if it applies
for planned treatment. UK state pensioners living in other EEA members states may also
qualify for free treatment under EU Regulations – see regulation 9.

[jake]

Regulation 23(a) – UK state pensioners
3.98 UK state pensioners who have lived lawfully in the UK, or been employed by the UK
government, for ten continuous years at some point are exempt from charges for treatment
the need for which arises during the visit to the UK. This is regardless of where they are
now residing, how long each year they reside there or if they have registered as resident
there.
Examples of evidence:
- (a) confirmation in receipt of UK state pension (not private or occupational pension) –
e.g. pension slip, pink form BR 464, confirmation from DWP; and
- (b) proof of ten years continuous residence e.g. previous job, schools attended,
previous address(es).
3.99 This exemption extends to their spouse/civil partner and/or dependent children if they are
lawfully present on a permanent basis with the UK state pensioner whilst the UK state
pensioner is visiting the UK.
3.100 See also regulation 16, which also concerns UK state pension holders, to see if it applies
for planned treatment. UK state pensioners living in other EEA members states may also
qualify for free treatment under EU Regulations – see regulation 9.

How's your father in law? If you can give us a bit information maybe someone will have some answers that might help.
There are some good hospitals here in the Philippines.

[stevewool]

i too am sorry to hear about your news, just goes to show we all need that back up in cash just for the rainy days ahead, what about this phil health package people keep saying about have they got something like that,

[Terpe]

....just goes to show we all need that back up in cash just for the rainy days ahead.....

Yep, nothing against that. Unfortunately it's just too simplistic and unstrutuctured.
How much cash? what's the cap?
I have more than a couple of friends who have returned to UK virtually penniless after spending all their savings on medical issues so the wife would end with nothing in a worst case outcome.

I'm sure we've all heard the stories of those couples where one spouse could not return to UK as ILR had lapsed and no British Citizenship.

My own view is that a multi-structured approach to healthcare needs to be considered. Probably with some pretty strict agreed guidelines on the use of cash/credit cards.

A friend of ours needed a heart operation followed by pacemaker fitted.
As I recall it cost around P1mill from begining to end.
He was told it will need to be replaced in 5 years.

I've told my wife to be sure she gets a shovel and a box

[mickmyrna]

Yep, nothing against that. Unfortunately it's just too simplistic and unstrutuctured.
How much cash? what's the cap?
I have more than a couple of friends who have returned to UK virtually penniless after spending all their savings on medical issues so the wife would end with nothing in a worst case outcome.

I'm sure we've all heard the stories of those couples where one spouse could not renturn to UK as ILR had lapsed and no British Citizenship.

My own view is that a multi-structured approach to healthcare needs to be considered. Probably with some pretty strict agreed guidelines on the use of cash/credit cards.

A friend of ours needed a heart operation followed by pacemaker fitted.
As I recall it cost around P1mill from begining to end.
He was told it will need to be replaced in 5 years.

I've told my wife to be sure she gets a shovel and a box

Hi there, i was just wondering if anyone knows if a spouse who has ILR here in the UK can return back to the UK after moving back to the Philippines? I plan to retire there within the next 4 years with my wife, Myrna; we are applying for ILR later this year but we are not planning on applying for British citizenship as were going back to Cebu so soon, and i dont think its worth the extra expense. Does anyone know if she can return with me to the UK for a holiday, if so is there a time limit for her returning here? Thanks in advance for any replies! Mick :xxgrinning--

[Terpe]

Hi there, i was just wondering if anyone knows if a spouse who has ILR here in the UK can return back to the UK after moving back to the Philippines? I plan to retire there within the next 4 years with my wife, Myrna; we are applying for ILR later this year but we are not planning on applying for British citizenship as were going back to Cebu so soon, and i dont think its worth the extra expense. Does anyone know if she can return with me to the UK for a holiday, if so is there a time limit for her returning here? Thanks in advance for any replies! Mick :xxgrinning--

If she's out of UK for more than 2 years she'll lose the ILR and will not be able to return to the UK without making an application for a visa.

If you can find a way, why not get that British Citizenship and passport.
Following that route she'd need to re-acquire Philippine Citizenship.
It may be an expensive pain but there are advantages.
We don't know what's waiting for us round life's corner.

[mickmyrna]

If she's out of UK for more than 2 years she'll lose the ILR and will not be able to return to the UK without making an application for a visa.

If you can find a way, why not get that British Citizenship and passport.
Following that route she'd need to re-acquire Philippine Citizenship.
It may be an expensive pain but there are advantages.
We don't know what's waiting for us round life's corner.

Thank you for your swift reply Terpe! We'll consider your suggestion.......

[stevewool]

If she's out of UK for more than 2 years she'll lose the ILR and will not be able to return to the UK without making an application for a visa.

If you can find a way, why not get that British Citizenship and passport.
Following that route she'd need to re-acquire Philippine Citizenship.
It may be an expensive pain but there are advantages.
We don't know what's waiting for us round life's corner.

thats the way to do it

[jake]

i too am sorry to hear about your news, just goes to show we all need that back up in cash just for the rainy days ahead, what about this phil health package people keep saying about have they got something like that,

The problem with Philhealth is it will only pay a small percentage of the actual bill. You will also have to pay up front then claim the money back at a later date.

[bigmarco]

i too am sorry to hear about your news, just goes to show we all need that back up in cash just for the rainy days ahead, what about this phil health package people keep saying about have they got something like that,

I'm not so sure that cash is the answer. Judging by our own recent experiences with my Tatay and other horror stories you hear about it doesn't matter how much money you have the knowledge and expertise doesn't appear to be as freely available as it is here.
This for me is a major stumbling block in retiring to the Philippines.

[jake]

I'm not so sure that cash is the answer. Judging by our own recent experiences with my Tatay and other horror stories you hear about it doesn't matter how much money you have the knowledge and expertise doesn't appear to be as freely available as it is here.
This for me is a major stumbling block in retiring to the Philippines.

That is not necessarily true. There are some very good doctors here in the Philippines. My kids pediatrician is much better than the deaf half blind doctor that i used to go to when i was a kid.
Cash does help as you will probably receive better service. I know that may not sound right to some of you but at the end of the day it is a business like any other.
At some point in my life i will probably need hospital treatment and it doesn't bother me that it will be in a Philippine hospital. Yes it will be private that's why we have money set aside.

[stevewool]

I'm not so sure that cash is the answer. Judging by our own recent experiences with my Tatay and other horror stories you hear about it doesn't matter how much money you have the knowledge and expertise doesn't appear to be as freely available as it is here.
This for me is a major stumbling block in retiring to the Philippines.

its the only answer i have at this moment in time, i know i will not be here in england so umless i come into a lot of cash, the phils will be my future home and with some savings too

[stevewool]

there is no limit to what we could spend, the limit like you have said is what we can afford, who knows what the future holds for us all, but let it stay in the future for now and just try to prepare for it

[raynaputi]

That's why Keith can't move to the Philippines, as he needs the NHS here and the cost of everything would be 2x or 3x in the Philippines.

[Arthur Little]

That's why Keith can't move to the Philippines, as he needs the NHS here and the cost of everything would be 2x or 3x in the Philippines.

Likewise! Aside from family commitments ... there's the fact that I'm diabetic to consider.

[Michael Parnham]

This is one of the reasons I came back to the UK

[jake]

I'm just experiencing the Philippine medical system, my father in law is sick in hospital, hes been there 6 days and is not showing any improvement. I'm not a qualified medical practitioner but what I see is just a money making factory. Every thing has to be paid for up front, we have to buy our own blood if we can find it or bribe someone to donate then there is no guarantee that the blood is good. I'd advise all British subjects that if they get sick buy an air ticket back to the uk, it will be a lot cheaper and you will probably live longer.

I can understand you frustration and hopefully he will get better. The hospitals have very little government funding and its not always their fault that things like blood, medicine etc are not readily available.
Ask your wifes family to speak to the local mayor, congressman , governor as they may help out with some of the medical costs as it will soon be election time. Sad but true.
Its not just the Philippines that has a bad medical system. A lot of countries do.
Don't knock the NHS as you guys are lucky to have such a system

[Arthur Little]

Don't knock the NHS as you guys are lucky to have such a system

... we're FORTUNATE, indeed!!!

[grahamw48]

Definitely worth waiting for British Citizenship for your wife.

'Act in haste repent at leisure' etc.

So many of my past mistakes have been due to impatience and not properly considering alternatives and consequences.

[mickmyrna]

Definitely worth waiting for British Citizenship for your wife.

'Act in haste repent at leisure' etc.

So many of my past mistakes have been due to impatience and not properly considering alternatives and consequences.

Thanks for your input Graham! Yes, its something to consider.....

[joebloggs]

sorry to hear about your father in law, have you any idea whats wrong with him, is he in a government hospital ?

[bigmarco]

sorry to hear about your father in law, have you any idea whats wrong with him, is he in a government hospital ?

Not really Joe. His heart was enlarged and he apparently had some liver problems and lost quite a bit of weight. He was in MCU which I understand is a private hospital. When I was over he wasn't looking the best when I arrived but after we got all his meds for him he seemed to improve and actually looked a lot better when I was coming home.
It's just the whole no money no treatment that annoys you and makes you appreciate how good we have it here. Also the fact you have to pay for blood.
It seems that his problem has returned in some form this last few days so we are just waiting to hear what's happening.

[malditako]

Not really Joe. His heart was enlarged and he apparently had some liver problems and lost quite a bit of weight. He was in MCU which I understand is a private hospital. When I was over he wasn't looking the best when I arrived but after we got all his meds for him he seemed to improve and actually looked a lot better when I was coming home.
It's just the whole no money no treatment that annoys you and makes you appreciate how good we have it here. Also the fact you have to pay for blood.
It seems that his problem has returned in some form this last few days so we are just waiting to hear what's happening.

if he's got heart problems and wants to see a specialist its worth going to philippine heart center in quenzon city. Though its not absolutely free there are some NGO's there that help penniless patients with their bills.

[Tawi2]

Don't knock the NHS as you guys are lucky to have such a system

A-MEN to that,its only when you actually need medical care and you have to pay through the nose for it that people remember the good old NHS back in blighty,theres a pinay living not a million miles away from Heathrow,10-maybe 12 years ago her mum and dad got a visa to visit her(there was an ulterior motive I always thought)long story short her dad had health problems when he was here,needed heart surgery,the last time I saw her her parents had gotten a visa extension as her dad was receiving hospital treatment,free-gratis and for nothing,its the old NHS tourism,it attracted people from around the world.