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Maxicare Prepaid Cards Review: Pros and Cons

By Marivic Lacuña (Vicky) Published July 11, 2024
Maxicare Prepaid Cards Benefits and Coverage

It’s scary facing a medical emergency! It’s not just about the concern for your health but also the worry about the cost of hospitalization. Every Filipino knows that! In the Philippines, a typical hospital stay can cost an average of ₱30,000 for just three days, quickly becoming a huge financial burden for everyone. The minimum wage in the Philippines is just around 10,000 to 12,000 pesos a month, so spending 30,000 for your illness is like spending three months of wages. This unexpected expense can stress a difficult situation, making it even more challenging to focus on recovery.

That’s why being prepared for these situations is important, and Maxicare Prepaid products can be a smart way to manage your healthcare expenses. They offer a variety of plans designed to provide coverage for emergencies and hospitalization, ensuring you have one less thing to worry about during tough times. With Maxicare, you get peace of mind knowing you won’t have to shoulder the entire financial burden alone, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – getting better and staying healthy. If you’re seeking comprehensive coverage or a plan that fits your budget, Maxicare has options to meet your needs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable. Here are the Maxicare Prepaid Cards that you can avail of:

Comprehensive Review of Maxicare Prepaid Cards

1. Prima Silver

Prima Silver

Maxicare Prima Silver is a prepaid health card designed to make essential healthcare services more accessible and affordable for individuals of all ages, including seniors. It’s a perfect solution for those who want to be prepared for common medical needs without the commitment of a traditional HMO plan. What I love about this is that you’ll only pay once and already have unlimited check-ups and laboratories for a year!

This plan covers a wide range of laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures prescribed by a Maxicare-affiliated physician. This allows for early detection and diagnosis of potential health concerns. You’ll have unlimited access to consultations with qualified doctors within Maxicare’s network of PCCs. This is particularly helpful for managing chronic conditions, preventive care checkups, and addressing minor illnesses.

Unlike some traditional HMO plans, Maxicare Prima Silver offers coverage for pre-existing conditions. This provides peace of mind knowing you’ll have access to necessary healthcare regardless of past medical history. So, if you or a family member has an existing condition that requires regular check-ups, this prepaid health card is good for you. Medical check-ups now cost a lot! So why not just pay once and have unlimited check-ups?

The plan also includes a group life insurance benefit that provides financial assistance to your loved ones in case of accidental death. So you don’t have to buy a separate life plan. You got everything with Maxicare! Maxicare Prima Silver is a budget-friendly option compared to traditional HMO plans. It’s ideal for those who want basic healthcare coverage without a long-term commitment.

However, Maxicare Prima Silver focuses on outpatient care and diagnostics and doesn’t cover hospitalization costs. Consultations and tests are covered only within Maxicare’s accredited network of PCCs and laboratories, so check if the PCCs are near you first.

Feature Pros Cons
Cost Affordable, one-time payment It doesn’t cover hospitalization
Coverage Unlimited check-ups, lab tests, and diagnostics for a year Limited to Maxicare-affiliated PCCs and laboratories
Benefits Covers pre-existing conditions, group life insurance Outpatient care only
Commitment No long-term commitment Network limitations
Convenience Easy access to preventive care and chronic condition management It may require travel to Maxicare facilities

2. Prima Gold

Prima Gold

Maxicare Prima Gold takes healthcare preparedness to the next level. This prepaid health card offers a wider range of benefits than Prima Silver, making it ideal for individuals and families seeking comprehensive coverage for various medical needs. With Prima Gold, you can access over 800 lab tests and diagnostics. Like Prima Silver, Prima Gold covers many laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures ordered by Maxicare-affiliated doctors. This allows for in-depth health evaluation and early detection of potential issues. You’ll have unrestricted access to consultations with qualified doctors at any Maxicare PCC. This is beneficial for managing chronic conditions, preventive checkups, and addressing various illnesses.

Unlike Prima Silver, Prima Gold provides financial assistance in case of emergencies. It covers up to ₱20,000 for unexpected medical situations requiring treatment within Maxicare’s network of accredited hospitals. However, similar to Prima Silver, Prima Gold offers coverage for pre-existing conditions and includes a group life insurance benefit that provides financial aid to your beneficiaries in the event of accidental death.

Compared to Prima Silver, Maxicare Prima Gold has a higher price tag due to its broader coverage. Consultations, tests, and emergency room coverage apply only within Maxicare’s network of accredited providers.

Feature Pros Cons
Coverage Wider range of benefits than Prima Silver Higher price tag than Prima Silver
Lab Tests and Diagnostics Unlimited access to over 800 tests Limited to Maxicare-affiliated providers
Consultations Unlimited consultations with Maxicare PCC doctors Network limitations for consultations
Emergency Care Up to ₱20,000 coverage for emergencies at Maxicare hospitals Limited to Maxicare network hospitals
Pre-existing conditions Covers pre-existing conditions Doesn’t cover hospitalization beyond the emergency room benefit
Life Insurance Group life insurance benefit for accidental death Network limitations for all benefits

3. EReady Titanium

EReady Titanium

Maxicare EReady Titanium is a prepaid health card designed specifically for emergencies only. It provides financial assistance for unexpected medical situations requiring immediate medical attention within 24 hours. This plan covers life-threatening conditions, illnesses, or injuries requiring immediate medical care. The coverage amount is up to 25,000 pesos. This one also has unlimited consultation, but laboratories are not included.

EReady Titanium is a one-time payment, one-time use. It functions like a pre-loaded card. You pay a fixed upfront cost for the plan; the coverage amount is available for a single emergency incident. Unlike traditional HMO plans, EReady Titanium doesn’t require annual renewals. This makes it suitable for those needing temporary coverage or on a tight budget. EReady Titanium has age limitations. The cardholder should be 15 days old to 65 years old. It’s important to check the eligibility details before purchasing.

Some EReady Titanium plans might include an additional benefit that provides financial assistance to your beneficiaries in case of accidental death or permanent dismemberment. Remember that EReady Titanium focuses solely on emergencies. It doesn’t cover hospitalization costs beyond the emergency room or pre-existing conditions. This plan’s coverage applies only within Maxicare’s accredited network of hospitals, so make sure the hospitals you might need in an emergency are within the network!

Feature Pros Cons
Purpose Emergency-only coverage Limited to emergencies
Coverage Amount Up to ₱25,000 for emergencies Doesn’t cover hospitalization beyond ER
Consultations Unlimited consultations within 24 hours of emergency Labs not included
Cost & Commitment One-time payment, no renewals Not for long-term needs
Eligibility Age range: 15 days to 65 years old May not cover everyone
Optional Benefit Accidental death/dismemberment benefit (on some plans) Network limitations for all benefits

4. EReady Platinum

EReady Platinum

Maxicare EReady Platinum builds upon the emergency coverage of EReady Titanium by offering additional benefits, making it a more well-rounded option for unexpected medical situations. Like EReady Titanium, this plan covers life-threatening conditions, illnesses, or injuries that require immediate medical attention within 24 hours. Like EReady Titanium, EReady Platinum functions with a single upfront cost. The coverage amount is available for a single emergency incident, but consultations are free and unlimited.

This plan allows you to avail of services at any of Maxicare’s accredited hospitals, including potentially six major hospitals. This wider network access can be crucial during emergencies. Compared to EReady Titanium, EReady Platinum has a higher price tag due to its broader coverage. This plan doesn’t require annual renewals, making it suitable for those needing temporary coverage or with budget constraints. It also includes an additional benefit that provides financial aid to your beneficiaries in case of accidental death or permanent dismemberment.

Feature Pros Cons
Coverage Emergency care (life-threatening conditions, illnesses, injuries) Limited to emergencies
Coverage Amount Up to ₱25,000 for emergencies Doesn’t cover hospitalization beyond ER
Consultations Unlimited consultations within 24 hours of emergency Labs not included
Cost & Commitment One-time payment, no renewals Not for long-term needs
Network Access to all Maxicare hospitals, including potentially 6 major ones Network limitations still apply
Optional Benefit Accidental death/dismemberment benefit Higher price tag than EReady Titanium
Renewal No renewals needed Single-use card

Here’s a quick comparison of EReady Titanium and EReady Platinum to help you decide:

Feature EReady Titanium EReady Platinum
Coverage Focus Emergency Room Emergency Room
Hospital Network Access Maxicare Accredited Hospitals (may not include major hospitals) Maxicare Accredited Hospitals (including potentially 6 major hospitals)

5. EReady Advance Titanium

EReady Advance Titanium

EReady Advance is a prepaid health card meticulously designed to provide comprehensive one-time coverage for emergencies, particularly those necessitating hospitalization. Unlike standard EReady, which is limited to immediate medical treatment within 24 hours, EReady Advance extends its benefits to cover hospital stays, ensuring that cardholders are well-supported during critical health emergencies. This card offers significant reassurance and financial relief by including hospitalization in its coverage, making it a valuable asset in urgent medical situations.

The card provides up to Php 50,000 in one-time coverage for illnesses or injuries arising from medical emergencies, including conditions that require confinement in a regular private room. This substantial coverage encompasses both outpatient and inpatient care, thus ensuring that a wide range of medical needs are met without the added financial burden. EReady Advance’s dual coverage aspect means cardholders can rely on their health card to manage the associated expenses, whether the emergency requires immediate treatment or extended hospital care.

In addition to emergency coverage, EReady Advance cardholders gain access to an extensive network of Maxicare-affiliated hospitals nationwide. This extensive network guarantees cardholders receive high-quality medical care wherever they are in the country. Furthermore, cardholders benefit from unlimited complimentary consultations at any Maxicare Primary Care Center. This ensures emergency care and continuous and convenient access to preventative and routine healthcare services, promoting overall well-being and timely medical intervention.

Features Pros Cons
Coverage Emergencies, hospitalization (regular private room) Limited to emergencies
Coverage Amount Up to ₱50,000 for emergencies Single-use card
In/Outpatient Covers both outpatient and inpatient care Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Consultations Unlimited consultations at Maxicare PCCs Network limitations for hospitals and PCCs
Cost & Commitment One-time payment, no renewals Higher cost than other EReady plans
Network Extensive network of Maxicare hospitals nationwide May not cover everything beyond emergencies

6. EReady Advance Platinum

EReady Advance Platinum

EReady Advance Platinum is the same as EReady Advance Titanium. The only difference is that this one can be used in all accredited hospitals, including six Major hospitals in Metro Manila: the Asian Hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Lukes sa Quezon City, St. Lukes sa BGC Taguig, and The Medical City.

The coverage includes room and board accommodation in a regular private room for inpatients. The use of the operating room, intensive care unit (ICU), or isolation room is also included if prescribed by the attending accredited physician and the recovery room.

The professional fees and standard nursing services will also be paid by Maxicare. Medicines in confinement are included, but not those bought outside. Whole blood products, IV fluids transfusion, X-rays, laboratory tests, and diagnostic tests are also included.

Feature Pros Cons
Coverage Emergencies, hospitalization (regular private room) Limited to emergencies
Coverage Amount Up to ₱50,000 for emergencies Single-use card
In/Outpatient Covers both outpatient and inpatient care Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
Consultations Unlimited consultations at Maxicare PCCs Network limitations for PCCs
Cost & Commitment One-time payment, no renewals Higher cost than other EReady plans
Network Extensive network of Maxicare hospitals nationwide, including 6 major hospitals in Metro Manila May not cover everything beyond emergencies
Additional Network Benefit Access to 6 major hospitals in Metro Manila Higher cost compared to EReady Advance Titanium

Conclusion

Maxicare Prepaid products offer many options for preparing for healthcare expenses. Whether you need basic coverage for consultations and diagnostics (Prima Silver), comprehensive care for unexpected situations (EReady), or emergency-focused protection with hospitalization (EReady Advance plans), there’s a Maxicare Prepaid product to suit your needs.

Consider your budget and healthcare priorities when choosing a plan. Do you need basic coverage for everyday needs, or are you looking for emergency preparedness? Remember, Maxicare Prepaid products have network limitations and coverage limits. Be sure the hospitals and clinics you might need are within the network, and understand what expenses are covered by the plan.

Marivic Lacuña (Vicky)

Marivic Lacuña is a self-published author with 3 published books on Amazon and Google Playbooks. She's the editor in chief...

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