Some hospitals in the Philippines are equipped with modern facilities to meet most medical needs. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centres provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance. Hospital and medical costs in the Philippines can be expensive, and some hospitals are reluctant to provide treatment if payment is not guaranteed.
New Zealanders visiting or residing in the Philippines are strongly encouraged to hold comprehensive health insurance that includes medical evacuation. You should talk to your insurance provider about the details of your policy before you leave as it may not provide cover for hidden costs, such as if you do not speak the language you may have to pay for the help of a translator.
If you are living in the Philippines you should think about what will happen if you become ill, including whether you have people such as a spouse or in-laws who you can rely on to take care of you (such as assisting you when you are in hospital). If they cannot support you financially, can someone in New Zealand? You should also not assume that when you need care you will be able to return to New Zealand, as you may be too ill to travel by plane as an ordinary passenger and other options for repatriation are likely to be extremely expensive. The embassy has encountered instances where residents have run into health difficulties in the Philippines and families have been forced to sell assets, including superannuation and family homes, to pay for treatment. Be clear about your health cover.
Further advice for New Zealanders about dealing with illness and injury overseas is available on the Safetravel website(external link).
Information about assistance that is available in the event of a death of a New Zealander overseas is also available on the Safetravel website.(external link)