Factors to consider when getting an HMO plan

Filipinos are increasingly realizing the value of getting a plan from health maintenance organizations (HMOs), as it offers a practical fallback when dealing with health-related concerns.

Settling on a plan can be tricky, though, since not all HMOs offer the same benefits and price ranges. For an investment as important as this, there are many things to consider before arriving at the plan best suited to one’s needs.

Know your budget. HMOs typically come with premiums to be paid on a regular basis. Before picking a dependable provider, it is advisable to identify and compute the cost of the medical services that you will need in a year, and then check the amount you can spare for the premiums.

Each HMO specifies a maximum amount it will cover for a medical service. For as low as P7,782 per year, Medicard, a leading HMO provider, covers most of the common medical services such as Hospital Confinement, Out-Patient Care, Preventive Health Care, Emergency Care, Dental Care, and even Financial Assistance for its members.

Know the company. Knowing the HMO is just as important as knowing the plans it offers. You will experience greater confidence and peace of mind knowing your health plan provider has a good industry standing and is trusted by numerous members.

MediCard, for instance, is on its 26th year of being a pioneer in the HMO industry and boasts more than half a million members. To drum up the importance of having a reliable HMO, the company’s “Why Worry?” campaign demonstrates further the assurance one gets if they are financially covered by a plan especially during medical emergencies.

Know the network. An HMO provides patients health coverage within a network of doctors and hospitals, so its directory list is an important yardstick when choosing or maintaining a plan. If you have a doctor you’ve trusted for years, find out if he or she is part of the medical network. If a specific doctor you want isn’t part of the network, you may have to shell out the cash.

Having been in the industry for 26 years, MediCard has amassed a network of more than 40,000 accredited doctors, specialists, and dentists operating in close to 1,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide. Such a vast network ensures that you will get the medical attention you deserve.

Know how to use the benefits. Each HMO plan has an annual allowable expense. This expense is dependent on your chosen premium, so it is best to take advantage of your health plan instead of letting your benefits remain unconsumed by yearend. You may, for instance, visit any MediCard Free-Standing clinic (FSC) for reasonably-priced check-ups and tests which allows you to stretch your benefit as a MediCard member.

Factors to consider when getting an HMO plan

Filipinos are increasingly realizing the value of getting a plan from health maintenance organizations (HMOs), as it offers a practical fallback when dealing with health-related concerns.

Settling on a plan can be tricky, though, since not all HMOs offer the same benefits and price ranges. For an investment as important as this, there are many things to consider before arriving at the plan best suited to one’s needs.

Know your budget. HMOs typically come with premiums to be paid on a regular basis. Before picking a dependable provider, it is advisable to identify and compute the cost of the medical services that you will need in a year, and then check the amount you can spare for the premiums.

Each HMO specifies a maximum amount it will cover for a medical service. For as low as P7,782 per year, Medicard, a leading HMO provider, covers most of the common medical services such as Hospital Confinement, Out-Patient Care, Preventive Health Care, Emergency Care, Dental Care, and even Financial Assistance for its members.

Know the company. Knowing the HMO is just as important as knowing the plans it offers. You will experience greater confidence and peace of mind knowing your health plan provider has a good industry standing and is trusted by numerous members.

MediCard, for instance, is on its 26th year of being a pioneer in the HMO industry and boasts more than half a million members. To drum up the importance of having a reliable HMO, the company’s “Why Worry?” campaign demonstrates further the assurance one gets if they are financially covered by a plan especially during medical emergencies.

Know the network. An HMO provides patients health coverage within a network of doctors and hospitals, so its directory list is an important yardstick when choosing or maintaining a plan. If you have a doctor you’ve trusted for years, find out if he or she is part of the medical network. If a specific doctor you want isn’t part of the network, you may have to shell out the cash.

Having been in the industry for 26 years, MediCard has amassed a network of more than 40,000 accredited doctors, specialists, and dentists operating in close to 1,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide. Such a vast network ensures that you will get the medical attention you deserve.

Know how to use the benefits. Each HMO plan has an annual allowable expense. This expense is dependent on your chosen premium, so it is best to take advantage of your health plan instead of letting your benefits remain unconsumed by yearend. You may, for instance, visit any MediCard Free-Standing clinic (FSC) for reasonably-priced check-ups and tests which allows you to stretch your benefit as a MediCard member.

Factors to consider when getting an HMO plan

Filipinos are increasingly realizing the value of getting a plan from health maintenance organizations (HMOs), as it offers a practical fallback when dealing with health-related concerns.

Settling on a plan can be tricky, though, since not all HMOs offer the same benefits and price ranges. For an investment as important as this, there are many things to consider before arriving at the plan best suited to one’s needs.

Know your budget. HMOs typically come with premiums to be paid on a regular basis. Before picking a dependable provider, it is advisable to identify and compute the cost of the medical services that you will need in a year, and then check the amount you can spare for the premiums.

Each HMO specifies a maximum amount it will cover for a medical service. For as low as P7,782 per year, Medicard, a leading HMO provider, covers most of the common medical services such as Hospital Confinement, Out-Patient Care, Preventive Health Care, Emergency Care, Dental Care, and even Financial Assistance for its members.

Know the company. Knowing the HMO is just as important as knowing the plans it offers. You will experience greater confidence and peace of mind knowing your health plan provider has a good industry standing and is trusted by numerous members.

MediCard, for instance, is on its 26th year of being a pioneer in the HMO industry and boasts more than half a million members. To drum up the importance of having a reliable HMO, the company’s “Why Worry?” campaign demonstrates further the assurance one gets if they are financially covered by a plan especially during medical emergencies.

Know the network. An HMO provides patients health coverage within a network of doctors and hospitals, so its directory list is an important yardstick when choosing or maintaining a plan. If you have a doctor you’ve trusted for years, find out if he or she is part of the medical network. If a specific doctor you want isn’t part of the network, you may have to shell out the cash.

Having been in the industry for 26 years, MediCard has amassed a network of more than 40,000 accredited doctors, specialists, and dentists operating in close to 1,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide. Such a vast network ensures that you will get the medical attention you deserve.

Know how to use the benefits. Each HMO plan has an annual allowable expense. This expense is dependent on your chosen premium, so it is best to take advantage of your health plan instead of letting your benefits remain unconsumed by yearend. You may, for instance, visit any MediCard Free-Standing clinic (FSC) for reasonably-priced check-ups and tests which allows you to stretch your benefit as a MediCard member.

Preparing for the great summer exposure

We are reprinting this article,first published last year,as we prepare to have the most fun this summer.

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Video by Mario Ignacio IV

The heat tells us summer is almost here. Time to prepare our bodies for the summer exposure.

Three physical fitness personal trainers – Angie M. Miranda and Jensen G. Centeno of Fitness First, Mall of Asia, and Christian S. Cerezo, formerly of Fitness First Southmall and now a freelance PT, share tips, that coupled with proper diet, will help you achieve the body worth a second glance when on the beach. In the video, they show several variations to the basic exercises like lunge or squat in order to give options, depending on one’s capability to perform the activity.

Miranda demonstrates variations of lunge and squat to work on the legs, buttocks, and arms.

The perfect squat by Angie M. Miranda.

The perfect squat by Angie M. Miranda.

To do a lunge, position one leg forward with knee bent and foot flat on the ground while the other leg is positioned behind. Do it alternately.

To do a squat, start from a standing position. Move the hips back and bend the knees and hips to lower the torso and accompanying weight, then return to the upright position.

Centeno shows several variations of planking, including the spiderman push up. The most common is the front plank which is done holding a push-up position with the body’s weight borne on forearms, elbows, and toes. The plank does wonders to the abdominal muscles, back, and shoulders.

Centeno also demonstrates crunch to tone the abdominal muscles. To do a crunch, lie down face up with knees bent. Curl the shoulders towards the pelvis. You may place your hands behind or beside the neck or crossed over the chest.
Read More

Preparing for the great summer exposure

We are reprinting this article,first published last year,as we prepare to have the most fun this summer.

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Video by Mario Ignacio IV

The heat tells us summer is almost here. Time to prepare our bodies for the summer exposure.

Three physical fitness personal trainers – Angie M. Miranda and Jensen G. Centeno of Fitness First, Mall of Asia, and Christian S. Cerezo, formerly of Fitness First Southmall and now a freelance PT, share tips, that coupled with proper diet, will help you achieve the body worth a second glance when on the beach. In the video, they show several variations to the basic exercises like lunge or squat in order to give options, depending on one’s capability to perform the activity.

Miranda demonstrates variations of lunge and squat to work on the legs, buttocks, and arms.

The perfect squat by Angie M. Miranda.

The perfect squat by Angie M. Miranda.

To do a lunge, position one leg forward with knee bent and foot flat on the ground while the other leg is positioned behind. Do it alternately.

To do a squat, start from a standing position. Move the hips back and bend the knees and hips to lower the torso and accompanying weight, then return to the upright position.

Centeno shows several variations of planking, including the spiderman push up. The most common is the front plank which is done holding a push-up position with the body’s weight borne on forearms, elbows, and toes. The plank does wonders to the abdominal muscles, back, and shoulders.

Centeno also demonstrates crunch to tone the abdominal muscles. To do a crunch, lie down face up with knees bent. Curl the shoulders towards the pelvis. You may place your hands behind or beside the neck or crossed over the chest.
Read More