Overseas Medicare Coverage for US Citizens in the Philippines

OVERSEAS MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR US CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES
A PETITION FOR A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

WHEREAS the MEDICARE patient population is now global. These US Citizens had paid into this program and are entitled to medical care that should be covered by MEDICARE.

WHEREAS the escalating and unsustainable costs of health care now forces MEDICARE to look into more affordable yet quality care meeting US medical standards.

WHEREAS the cost of medical care in the Philippines is a fraction of the cost of US health care, by as low as twenty five percent of US costs. The total savings will amount to billions of dollars every year. Extending Medicare coverage will also encourage Filipino Americans to retire in the Philippines which will be productive for both countries.

WHEREAS the quality of medical care in the Philippines is comparable to that of US medical facilities and providers.

WHEREAS extending overseas MEDICARE coverage will create jobs for US Citizens, including medical coders and billers. A US financial entity or fiscal intermediary will be established or expanded. This entity is responsible for credentialing of providers and facilities as well as screening and paying for medical care. This will create more jobs for US Citizens.

WHEREAS there is a need to study and compare the costs and quality of care in the Philippines and that in the US. This can be done through a DEMONSTRATION PROJECT initiated by Medicare. This prospective study will also gather data on complication rates, patient protection and privacy standards as well as satisfaction with care.

WHEREAS a DEMONSTRATION PROJECT will allow for training and standardization of medical documentation, medical necessity of care, as well as familiarization of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy and security guidelines. This will establish a uniform standard of documentation and care similar to accepted US standards.

WE, the people appeal to the Members of the United States Congress to mandate the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to initiate a Demonstration Project in the Philippines to gather data on costs and quality of care to support the extension of overseas Medicare coverage in the Philippines.