Would you like to be prioritized when you need a hospital room?
With the recent news that a new COVID variant is now here in the Philippines, we must take extra care and continue to be vigilant about our safety. One way to be ready is to know how to get priority access when you need a hospital room if you get sick.
Since hospital rooms are now in high demand, they come with hefty price tags, especially if you want a hotel-like atmosphere.
Half a month confinement in the hospital will set you back around Php800k to Php 1.3M.
Double that if you stay for a month, and quadruple that if you need to stay in the ICU.
I had the opportunity to interview some COVID survivors and they told me that the first thing that they ask from you at the admission office is your HMO card. If you don’t have one, cash deposit or credit card deposit is required. If you don’t have any of these three, they will turn you away.
It’s sad to say that money matters even more during this health crisis. If you don’t have the provisions, most likely, you won’t get timely and correct treatment.
It’s a smart decision now to invest in health cards and health insurance plans. Let these companies pay for your hospital bills. Do not allow your savings to be drained when getting sick.
The good news is that some companies haven’t increased their premium prices, considering that there are huge claims due to COVID cases.
I advise you Chinoys to take advantage of this offer while the price isn’t high yet and while you’re still in good health.
Don’t wait to get sick before thinking of getting one. It will be too late for you then and you might regret it in the end.
Health cards (or HMO) provide many free doctor consultations. Once the accredited doctor of your HMO company approves your laboratory tests or hospital procedures, these will be shouldered by your health card. The downside here is that the coverage is limited, and the annual payments that you shell out may put a bit of a dent in your savings. HMO will also only cover you up to a certain age.
On the other hand, health insurance plans don’t provide free consultations or laboratory tests. However, these plans provide surgical benefits and big pay-outs if you’re diagnosed with minor and major critical illness. The good thing is that there are life insurance companies now that have a limited premium paying period that covers you until age 100 and offers cash accumulation if not claimed.
Health cards and health insurance plans go hand in hand. A health card helps you with light illnesses while health insurance plans serve you for major illnesses.
Want to know more? How about the vital steps to be financially ready for 2021? Read on here and for the best financial advice on what do with your ang paos, check out the article here.
About the author
Sheila Ong is a legacy architect. She helps Chinoy families plan and design their financial homes by not only creating a strong financial foundation but also peace of mind, allowing families to do what matters most, which is to have more time to spend with each other. It’s her passion to empower each Chinoy family to create a legacy of love from one generation to the next through proper wealth management. As a naturally shy person, she evolved into becoming a public speaker driven by her advocacy. She has transformed many lives, including the lives of her team of financial advisors and the lives of about 400 families who are now financially secure. Sheila also values family time as she is a full-time mom to her son.
If you want to know more, you may send her an email at sheila@legacyoflove.info. For more information, you may also check out her website, https://legacyoflove.info/ and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/legacyoflovewithsheila/.
