What Is a Prepaid Health Card and How Does It Work?

An emergency prepaid health card is a convenient and affordable way to prepare for unexpected medical expenses. You pay once and get access to fixed healthcare benefits upon activation. Unlike traditional HMOs that require recurring premiums, a prepaid health card offers defined coverage for a set validity period, subject to a specified maximum benefit limit. If you exceed the maximum benefit limit of your prepaid health card, you pay the remaining balance out of pocket.

What is the difference between a prepaid health card and HMO?

Prepaid Health Card

HMO Plan

Payment

One-time payment

Requires an annual premium

Validity

Fixed period (e.g., one year from date of activation)

Typically valid for a fixed, renewable period

Benefits

Fixed coverage benefits

Coverage depends on the HMO plan

Usage and Access

– One-time use: For specific needs, such as emergency outpatient services, inpatient services, or combination

– Once utilized, the health card is no longer valid

– May cover consultations, diagnostics, hospitalization, and other healthcare services

– Can generally be used multiple times during the coverage period, subject to the plan’s maximum benefit limit


Best suited for

Individuals looking for affordable healthcare protection

May be suited for individuals, families, or businesses seeking more comprehensive coverage

What Does a Prepaid Health Card Cover?

Coverage can vary depending on the prepaid health card you choose. Basic health cards can focus on emergency outpatient care, while others can provide wider benefits that combine emergency treatment and inpatient care.

Emergency Treatment and Care

For sudden illnesses and accidents, a prepaid health card can provide cashless medical aid benefits up to the card’s maximum benefit limit, subject to terms and conditions. Depending on the card, benefits can include but not limited to:

  • Doctor’s services provided during emergency treatment
  • Emergency room charges related to the patient’s care
  • Medicines used for immediate relief and treatment
  • Diagnostic services, such as laboratory tests, X-rays, and other examinations
  • Oxygen, IV fluids, and certain blood products
  • Medical supplies
  • Initial treatment of animal bites

Emergency and Inpatient Care

If an emergency requires hospital confinement, some prepaid health cards may provide coverage for room and board, including use of OR, ICU, Recovery, and Isolation Rooms. Inpatient care typically covers doctor’s fees, standard nursing services, medications, diagnostic procedures, routine procedures, and medical supplies up to the maximum specified amount.

What is the Best Prepaid Health Card?

ER Guard, the best prepaid health card Philippines, is designed for outpatient emergency care. It requires a one-time payment of P970, is valid for one year upon activation, and provides up to 20,000 coverage for eligible emergency treatment, subject to the card’s terms, conditions, and benefit limits.

ER Guard Plus provides broader coverage that combines emergency care and inpatient care. For a one-time payment of ₱3,315, ER Guard Plus is valid for one year upon activation, and provides up to ₱50,000 coverage for eligible emergency treatment and inpatient expenses, subject to the card’s terms, conditions, and benefit limits.

Emergency treatment due to a pre existing condition is 100% covered by ER Guard and ER Guard Plus.

Who Can Buy a Prepaid Health Card?

A prepaid health card can be purchased for yourself or as a gift for someone you care about. Most prepaid health cards are available online and specific stores.

ER Guard and ER Guard Plus are available on the Medicare Plus website, Shopee, Lazada, M Lhuillier, and VidaCure Pharmacy Festival Mall, Alabang and Gateway Mall, Cubao.

Where Can You Use Your Prepaid Health Card?

Most prepaid health cards can be used in accredited private hospitals in the country.

ER Guard and ER Guard Plus can be used in any emergency room of private hospitals in the Philippines

How Can You Use Your Prepaid Health Card?

1. Activate your ER Guard or ER Guard Plus.

2. Call first in an emergency. Concierge Hotlines: 0919 058 5858 | 02 899 51920.

Call the Medical Concierge upon ER admission to process your ER Guard or ER Guard Plus and we’ll take it from there.

Who Can Benefit From Using a Prepaid Health Card?

ER Guard and ER Guard Plus can be used by children 15 days old to 17 years old and adults aged 18 to 60 years old.

Bottomline

A prepaid health card can provide a convenient and practical way to prepare for sudden illnesses and medical emergencies. With a one-time payment, cardholders can access fixed healthcare benefits for one year upon activation. Once used, the card can no longer be used again, even if the maximum benefit limit has not been fully exhausted.

ER Guard provides emergency outpatient coverage for a one-time payment of P970, while ER Guard Plus offers wider protection that includes both emergency and inpatient care for a one-time payment of P3,315. Each health card offers specific medical benefits for one year upon activation. Both emergency prepaid health cards are available online and at the VidaCure Pharmacy (Festival and Alabang branches).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a prepaid health card?
A prepaid health card is a healthcare product that requires a one-time payment in exchange for specific medical benefits for a defined validity period.

2. How is a prepaid health card different from an HMO?
A prepaid health card generally requires a one-time payment and provides specific coverage benefits for one-time use. An HMO typically involves a renewable health plan with coverage that depends on the selected health plan.

3. Does a prepaid health card cover emergency treatment?
Yes, prepaid health cards are designed for emergency care. It can include ER fees, doctor’s services, diagnostic tests, medicines for emergency treatment, and other eligible emergency expenses, subject to its benefit limits and terms.

4. Can a prepaid health card cover hospital confinement?
Some prepaid health cards, such as ER Guard Plus, include inpatient hospital coverage, subject to their benefit limits and terms.

5. How long is a prepaid health card valid?
The validity period depends on the health card. ER Guard and ER Guard Plus are valid for one year after activation.

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