MEDICard makes health care easy and affordable for every Juan

Believing that sickness only befalls the weak and old, most of us make the mistake of thinking we don’t need to worry about health care. In fact, there are those who would spend on the latest gadgets or on mobile phone loads rather than get a health plan. What they don’t realize is that in life, there are a number of unexpected events:  vehicular and sporting accidents, trauma cases, chemical poisoning, even dog bites that need equal attention and importance.

Now that medical expenses continue to rise, health plan is one thing you can’t afford to ignore.

The good news is MEDICard, a leading health maintenance organization (HMO) in the country, makes it easy and affordable for every Juan to have medical coverage with its latest offering, the RxER.

Designed to give members utmost value and convenience, the RxER offers a new and specialized health care maintenance service that covers emergency, preventive, and outpatient care for only P1,800 for a six-month medical coverage.

“Few Filipinos set aside a portion of their earnings for health care. In fact, there are more Telco subscribers than HMO members. Through RxER, we want to inform the public that investing in health plan should also be part of their priorities because in these trying times, we just can’t afford to be sick,” explains Kate Cruz-Joaquin, marketing manager, MEDICard.

Health matters

In line with MEDICard’s 25th anniversary theme, “Building a Healthy Nation,” the company designed a health package — “the RxER” — that is more affordable and accessible for budget-conscious Pinoys. Now, you can have access to quality healthcare even if you’re already retired or your income is below the minimum wage. Best of all, there’s no age limit, no medical checkup required, and there’s no hierarchy to be followed.

Pregnant women will highly benefit from the RxER package as they can avail themselves of free pre- and post-natal checkups for six months with the MEDICard obstetric-gynecologists.

“In HMO, if you’re 40 and above, you would have to fill out a lot of application forms and pass a medical evaluation. With RxER, you don’t have to go through all that. As soon as you make the payment and get the confirmation from MEDICard, you can avail yourself of the services right away,” notes Dr. Jerreen Balburias, manager, Customer Management Group, MEDICard.

For only P1,800, the MEDICard RxER package affords members unlimited free consultations with primary care physicians and some specialists like pediatricians, medical internists, and obstetricians in all MEDICard clinics. On top of all these, the RxER includes the Preventive Basic Five package, which includes CBC, urinalysis, fecalysis, chest X-ray, and physical exam. The cost of this package in other private hospitals is around P1,500 so with that alone, you already get your money’s worth.

“Pregnant women will highly benefit from this package. Imagine they can avail themselves of free pre- and post-natal checkups for six months with our obstetric-gynecologists. Children from zero age may also avail of unlimited checkups with our pediatricians. They’ll get big savings because a pre-natal consultation and a checkup with a pediatrician now normally cost P500 per checkup. When their membership expires after six months, they can always renew their membership,” adds Kate.

Moreover, members are entitled to free dental consultations and are eligible to 30-percent discounts on consultations with other specialists and sub-specialists in all MEDICard clinics; all laboratory and diagnostic tests in all MEDICard clinics; all surgeries done at MEDICard clinics; all dental procedures done at MEDICard clinics aside from discounts on all procedures at the MEDICard Skin and Body Clinic.

MEDICard clinics are located at MEDICard Lifestyle Center-Makati; Chino Roces Ave., Makati; Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas; EDSA, QC; Tagaytay National Road, Sta. Rosa; Star Honda Bldg., Calamba; Fairview Ave., QC; Aguinaldo Highway, Imus, Cavite; Alabang-Zapote Rd., Las Piñas; and Festival Mall, Alabang.

MEDICard also offers a special RxER group package. You can invite two of your friends or family members so the three of you can avail of the Package of 3 and pay only P3,500 for a six-month medical coverage and save as much as P500 each. It also gives you the chance to give your househelp, driver or yaya the health plan they deserve.

“Those who are interested to avail themselves of the MEDICard RxER can pay the required amount, P1,800 for individual account and P3,500 for the Group of 3 Package at all MEDICard centers, or do the transaction online through our website (www.medicardphils.com), and from MEDICard’s accredited banks such as Metrobank, Union Bank, and BPI,” explains Dr. Balburias.

If you paid in any of MEDICard’s accredited banks, you have to inform MEDICard about it through text. Once MEDICard receives the text, they will verify your payment from the accredited banks, and get your complete mailing address so they can send the memorandum of agreement. Membership begins when MEDICard sends a confirmatory text and e-mail to the members. Initially valid for six months, members have the option to continue their membership but need to enroll as a new member.

The RxER coverage

Patients requiring care for emergency trauma cases at MEDICard-accredited hospitals will have an overall limit of P20,000 for individual members and P30,000 aggregate limit for groups of three.

In addition, emergency care charges include ER fee and professional fees, and emergency medications directly related to the illness for the following cases, subject to conditions under exclusion: trauma cases within six hours from the time of the incident including burns, animal bites, and poisoning. Also included are emergency diagnostic procedures and lab tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI up to P5,000. Moreover, tetanus toxoid, anti-tetanus serum, and active immunization for anti-rabies will be covered. Also included are ordinary casting and splint. These benefits are subject to emergency care limit.

Members can avail themselves of emergency services for the abovementioned cases more than once as long as the limit is not yet consumed and the incident happened within six hours.

“If, for example, a member figured in an accident and was brought to non-MEDICard-accredited hospitals, members will be reimbursed 100 percent of approved hospital bills and professional fees based on our relative value of up to P20,000 for individual members and P30,000 aggregate limit for groups of three. All other provisions under the emergency care follow,” notes Dr. Balburias.

Likewise, members enjoy financial assistance of up to P50,000 for accidental death and disability.  One hundred-percent insurance coverage will be given to loss of life, both hands or feet, both arms or legs, sight of both eyes, one hand and one foot, hearing on both ears, speech and any other injury causing permanent total disablement.  Members who lose one arm or one leg are entitled to 75 percent of the insured amount while 50 percent will be given to those who lose one hand or foot or sight of one eye, four fingers of one hand and one foot above the ankle.  A 25-percent insurance coverage will be awarded to members who lose a thumb and index finger of either hand and all toes of one foot; 15 percent to those who lose two fingers of any one hand and five percent to those who lose one big toe.

Most uninsured Filipinos cite the high cost of health plan as the number one reason for not having coverage. In reality, though, living without health plan can actually put you at significantly more financial risk. With MEDICard’s affordable RxER package, there’s no excuse for you not to get one. Remember, one accident, illness, or injury could put your financial security in jeopardy. So act now before it’s too late. Better insured than sorry.

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To know more about the RxER, visit www.medicardphils.com or call Lady Lou Sunico at 884-9911 or MEDICard’s Customer Care hotline at 884-9999 or e-mail rxer@medicardphils.com. You may text your inquiries at 0908-8841814 for SMART subscribers or 0917-8512648 for Globe and Sun subscribers or you may visit any MEDICard clinic.