In an expat forum article published on August 2009 about Health Care in the Philippines, it was mentioned that the Philippines has about 95,000 or about 1 per 800 people with about 1,700 hospitals where 60% are private totaling 85,000 beds. An expat also mentioned that compared to the rest of the world, Health Care in the Philippines could be the cheapest.

But the cheap is relative and even that “cheapest health care” couldn’t be afforded by the common nationals in the Philippines because of the big salary difference between what Filipinos have compared to what expats earn.

Health is wealth, goes the famous cliché. And the opposite could be more fatal, lack of it could be very very expensive. That is why nowadays, not only it is so important to take care of your family’s health, you should also be as prepared (financially) when the opposite happens, when one of your family member got sick. And what more better way to be financially prepared than to have a health care, HMO or health insurances ready. When my kids got hospitalized, money also became our number one problem. That is why, after my kids recovered, the first thing I did was to look for the most affordable health insurance or HMO provider.

So far, according to my personal search and comparison, Maxicare offers the most affordable health insurances or HMO for individual and family members. MyMaxicare, is a specialized program created by Maxicare with individuals and families healthcare priority in mind. Offered with different variants to choose from which are tailored depending on your budget and what’s best for you and your family. Consists of extensive benefit coverage for in-patient, out-patient, emergency, preventive care, optional dental care and other added features to address the common recurring demands and needs of most people pertaining to their health security such as accidental death, dismemberment, motor vehicular accidents, etc.

The best health care plan with inclusive annual check-up package customized depending on your basic needs and salient features that gives you the freedom to choose your preferred HMO plan type according to room and board accommodation such as:

Platinum Plus (Large Private) Php 200,000
Platinum (Regular Private) Php 150,000
Gold (Regular Private) Php 100,000
Silver (Semi-Private) Php 60,000

You could download their HMO brochure online for detailed membership fees for fees varies depending on the health insurances package or plan type and age of member or beneficiary.

From Insular Life Health Care (iCare), Family & Individual health insurance plans, the maximum benefit limit per person per illness or injury per year will depend on the HMO member’s Room Accommodation: Suite P150,000.00 for suite; P120,000.00 for semi-private and P100,000.00 for semi-private rooms. Also, the amount payable for dependents aged five years old and below:

• 3 mos. to less than 1 yr, » 10% of the amount of health insurances
• 1 yr to less than 2 yrs. » 20% of the amount of health insurances
• 2 yrs. To less than 3 yrs. » 40% of the amount of health insurances
• 3 yrs. To less than 4 yrs. » 60% of the amount of health insurances
• 4yrs. To less than 5 years » 80% of the amount of health insurances
• 5 years and above » The full amount of health insurance

IntelliCare normally offer HMO plans to company employees but individuals who wished to avail of the their HMO services could inquire personally from their Business Development Officers through phone numbers (02) 894-3386 Ext. 229 or 201/ 812-0142. Or direct inquiries via email address: marketing@intellicare.com.ph / info@intellicare.com.ph.

If you know of other affordable health insurance or HMO providers here in the Philippines, you ma want to post them in the comment section below so we all may use them as another basis for affordable health insurances comparison. Thanks!