Heath Cover for Australian Expat Living in the Philippines

Hi Ben,

I would consider where you are going to be living and what risks you are covering.  Illness or major trauma, or just minor treatment?

If only here for two years your situation will be different to mine.

For me and my girlfriend and family of 2 children, we will be living for life in the Philippines.  I will be self insuring, plus Phil Health.  I will budget a certain amount each year and what we do not spend each year will be saved and accumulate each year. (Whish I could do that with out being taxed in Australia, and the tax they charge if you do not have hospital insurance.)

The reason I mention is where you will be living is that if you have a major incident and want to be flown out to Japan or Singapore (closest English speaking 1st world hospital treatment) then you if you are living a long way from an airport, transport to the airport may not be an option, and you will only get the standard of medical cover offered in the local hospital in the Phil's.

As a side note, I was interested to hear that in General Santos, there is only one Defibrillator in the whole city, with about 4 to 5 hospitals, ranging from private to public.  Where in Australia one in every major area that people met at.

Coming hear for only two years you may also need to make sure that you maintain your health insurance in Australia so we you go back you will not be penalised when you re-join.  yep the Aust government will try and get you one way or another.