Boo!
One
of the scariest of them all!
Medical
Bills
Happy Halloween!
Make no
mistakes about it. Tonight ghouls and
ghosts, goblins and trolls come out and have a party.
In this season of scary monsters, most of them are made up to scare children to eat their vegetables and come home when it’s dark. However, not all monsters are made up to scare children. One of the most frightening thing in this day and age is very real.
Medical bills.
It scares even the bravest heroes who walked the planet.
The thought
alone makes responsible adults run to their nearest financial advisor (aka
insurance salesperson) to invest (buy) what would prepare and spare their loved
ones from the financial burden.
Costs can run
up to millions of pesos. Yes,
millions!
Case in point a
3-day stay in the ICU in one of the big nine hospitals (i.e. St. Luke’s, Makati
Med, Asian Hospital, etc.) can rack up an easy Php 1.5 million.
Here are tips
on saving on hospital bills:
- Use your PhilHealth benefits. For employed individuals, make sure that your employer is updated on their contribution. If you are self-employed this is one of the government mandated benefits that is worth its weight in gold (even more). So be a voluntary member. And if you are a senior citizen, you are in luck, you too are covered. What PhilHealth does is it lowers your hospital bills by covering a portion of your room and board (depending on the hospital category), drugs and medicines, lab fees, professional fees, charges for the operating room, and the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s fee. One other important benefit: if you are giving birth, you shave off around P15,000 for the operation. For more information click here
- Get an HMO. There are lots of cheap ones out there. Most of companies give their employees HMO coverage. If your company does not provide this as a benefit, you may get it on your own. Their premium ranges from Php 10,000 – 30,000 a year depending on the health care provider and maximum benefit limit. As an insurance provider your premium is dependent on your age and medical history. Just make sure you keep to your HMO’s network and limit/s when applicable. Emergency room visits are more expensive that Out Patient or clinic based consultations.
- This is one tip that will be of immense value. Choose your hospital well. Remember it’s not the hospital that will make you better it’s proper diagnosis and how you would follow the doctor’s treatment. A reasonable priced hospital will provide the same results as a high-class/status hospital.
- Choose a room that is right for your budget. Remember that there are hospitals that have a socialized pricing structure. What this means is that, this will dictate the cost and fees that will be charged to you, this is primarily due to perceived financial capability. Expect everything to be higher if you get a suite as compared to a private room, or even a shared room.
- Always check your bill for error and items that are placed that have not been used. This does not mean that the hospital is trying to con you on paying more. This happens because, for efficiency purpose, the software that the billing department may be using might automatically plug in pre-programmed items that are commonly added when you are admitted to the hospital or when you get surgery, this is called template costing.
- Bring your own medicines. Medicines in the hospital cost more than when you actually ask someone to buy it for you from your local pharmacy outside the hospital. However, make sure you inform the hospital or nurse that you are doing so.
- Feel free to negotiate with your doctor. There are no hard and fast rules in pricing; each case is unique. And doctors are known to adjust fees every time. Remember that even if the doctor’s professional fee is their livelihood, they are human beings who will be more than happy to help when they can. I haven’t met a doctor who doesn’t have a heart yet. Besides there is no harm in trying.
- In dire situations:
a.
You
may approach the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to help with some
of your medical bills and even implants needed for surgery. For more details please click here:
b.
If
your pride permits it, also try your local congressman, mayor, or even barangay
captain. Believe it or not, politicians
do give medical assistance to their constituents. Just don’t expect much but every bit helps in
situations where your budget is tight.
c.
For
indigent patients, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) do help
a lot in covering hospital costs. For
more details click here: also visit DSWD's website:
Note: This will entail a lot of legwork. Ask a family member to help out if
needed.
- Lastly. Live a healthy lifestyle. Eat right and exercise. The occasional alcoholic drink won’t hurt if done in moderation.
