Health Insurance, VA Clinic, Medicare, TriCare, Self Insurance, FMP and What’s The Best Expat Mix !!

Thanks for the very informative video. While watching more chill Philippines videos is cool, your videos get into the real stuff that is really useful to know.

I just would like to get my meds from VA here but I find that to meet the criteria to get so if anyone has the clinic number for direct call

For anyone that has bcbs federal insurance I have yet to find any hospitals that will accept it ( you have to file a claim I was reimbursed within 30 days) Im saying this because when you call the overseas bcbs they will give you list of preferred providers like they did me but that doesn't mean the same as in the US you still have to pay out of pocket first

Salamat Steve…sorry to miss you in Manila when i was there on vacation in July…im not a vet…and plan to marry my fiancé in Duma next year…my concern also is for my asawa to have coverage as well…any info on spousal coverage…her Phil Health is not much as you know …much appreciated friend

Spot on about VA. Even though VA website says:
As a Veteran who lives in the Philippines, you are generally entitled to the same VA benefits as those living in the United States,
This is totally bogus and should be taken down.

If you have a VA disability rating, then you can apply for FMP, otherwise VA will NOT pay at all. If you do not have a rating, you totally PAY out of pocket because FMP will deny your application. Unless rated, you cannot even pickup a prescription, never mind them sending it to you, and, you cannot ship your prescriptions to the Philippines from USA .
Readers, check your options 110% before moving here because your options here for VA Healthcare is EXTREMELY limited like Steve has advised. I would love to have someone prove me wrong or a way they have received care without a rating

So for this VA rated Illnesses, have you found issues with getting those meds that are needed. For example, I have diabetes so I need fast and long acting insulin..as well as a calcium channel blocker daily to maintain my health. I called the VA in Manila and they said they had those meds. I’m curious if you have encountered issues in continuously getting those meds. I also have Tricare I could use for non-service connected issues like my cholesterol meds. Thanks Steve.🎃

Steve, Great video! You can never stop mentioning enough about the services and limitations of the VA clinic in Manilla. I see folks on other channels passing out bad info. Cheers!

Very Informative.

I am 73 now. By the time I get to PH I will be 74 or 75. What sort of insurance is available for people my age? (Yes pre-existing conditions.)

That wasn't quadruple bypass for $20,000. If it was he'll be dead in 2 weeks

I’m guessing that I pay in cash, get a receipt, and when I return to USA; then in USA , I’ll get refunded from my Tricare. I do a maximum of 3 months outside of USA. There are Veterans Service Offices (VSO) throughout the Philippines. I think San Vicente and Pablo Tubin Uribe in Medellin, Colombia are much better HOSPITALS than St Luke’s in BGC.

I wonder how long it takes to get Tricare reimbursement. it's been near 60 days and they are still processing my claim. If I needed the money waiting this long would be unacceptable for out of pocket expenses. Luckily the medical costs around $200 out of pocket which I could afford when I was staying there. If it takes two, three or more months to get reimbursed you better have savings you can tap into. The VA FMP will cover service-connected conditions and conditions associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected condition but that is as clear as mud. For example I had Kidney cancer surgery that was covered by the VA here in the USA, but I'm not service connected for the Kidney, so I assume that if I was overseas, then VA FMP wouldn't cover it even though the VA covered it here in the USA, but it is unclear.

My top neurosurgeon in Michigan (From Philippines) told me if anything ever happens to me in the Philippines to get my butt to St. Luke’s, no if ands or buts. He trained there & knows.

As a Canadian covered under Ontario’s health plan I am allowed up to 7 months out of province. I do recommend and do purchase health insurance for out of country travel. It’s Medipac travel insurance and I know people who have had good experiences with them. Am wondering if you’ve run across that name over there ? They paid the US hospitals directly for my friends…but am not sure if the PH has dealt with them. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks again! VERY important info and VERY helpful 👍

Steve Tricare requires you to have Medicare Part A and B. That being said, if you have Tricare do you still recommend having Pacific Cross also?

In the US, Tricare For Life (The Over 65 version of Tricare) is secondary to medicare. In the Philippines it basically has the same benefits as Tricare Select. BUT, you DO still have to maintain Medicare Part B, to get Tricare For Life though. Tricare actually has a specific program for the Philippines. For out patient care, you HAVE to use a doctor on the list, and pay in advance, and Tricare will reimburse you. The BIGGEST plus to Tricare For Life is that it has a $3000 catastrophic cap for the year. For covered issues, once your out of pocket costs (Copays, prescribed meds, etc…) reaches $3000 for the calendar year, the reimbursement goes to 100%. You just have to be careful to only use medical facilities and doctors in the Philippine Tricare network. So, even if you have an expensive stay at a Tricare approved hospital, the most you will ever spend is $3000 in a calendar for things that are covered. The two main downsides are that outpatient care is paid by reimbursement, and Tricare doesn't cover dental or vision care.

Very Informative
I always wondered of all the expats that move to the Philippines to retire how many actually stay, or do a high percentage eventually move back to the states

"FMP"=Foreign Medical Program.

Health insurance videos in the Philippines always get my attention.. I will be turning 70 next year and what do you think a low end Pacific cross policy would cost me a year at 70 plus? Just a ballpark figure would be fine with me but I'm going to contact your guy as soon as I arrive because I will have travel insurance for as many months as I can get it when I arrive.. thanks for telling us things we really need to know👍👍👌🤗😎

Thanks

I was at the pool of a hotel in Pasay, close to mall of Asia. The worker mopped around the pool with soapy water, turning the surface to a slippery mess. I slipped and hit the back of my head hard, big bump and bruise. Went to the ER for an MRI, it only cost like $150 haha, but they had guards to make sure you paid!