What DAV’s Lose When Moving to the Philippines!!!!

[@barryinthepi390]

One of the reasons we decided to live where we did was access to the VA Clinic in Manila. I thought that it was going to be like the ones in the USA. Nope, they only treat you for your disability. So for most stuff that I need, I just go to the Tagaytay Medical Center. The Doctors there are pretty good and its not that expensive. If something major happens, I would go back to Austin and have it done there.

[@johnwales4214]

Thanks for the information Steve. When I get asked about the VA here. I'll refer them to this video.

[@surfboy344]

Excellent video Steve. Thanks for letting us know about the capabilities of the VA there.

[@LAW-wj3oj]

Thank you for the information . I`am a retired Military and planning to move to the Philippines. Aloha from Hawaii...

[@tropicshade]

The best thing about the VA today is the VA Choice program in the U.S. If the VA Clinic or hospital cannot tend to your immediate needs, you can choose ANY civilian provider at no cost. I had back surgery done last year through VA Choice and had the best treatment. Unfortunately, like you say, FMP is the program you must deal with in the Philippines. I do concur with you about the professionalism at the Manila VA... the people there are great!

[@antonioalfaro5749]

Just like to add, check out the Medical Facilities in Guam. You do not have to fly all the way to Mainland U.S. I gather most likely my best option if I get into a medical emergency in P.I.

[@chuck5553]

I’ve checked into Tricare International....seems the route I’ll go as retired Military...there seems to be a lot of providers all Over the Philippines 🇵🇭....thanks for this video 🙏🏻

[@RichTravel1010]

Tricare is decent here if you have it.

[@chuck5553]

@@RichTravel1010 great to know. Ty ty

[@jerseyinthephilippines1283]

Very enlightening! Thanks for this vid Steve.

[@Chu6um]

My experience with the VA has been nightmarish at best. I know there are some great folks with the VA, but they seem to have far more that are not-so-great, at least stateside. Even when they did provide "treatment" for service related issues, it was sub-par. I had to use my private insurance to get adequate treatment, and have basically avoided the VA since then. I plan on keeping my current plan, as well as picking up a Pacific Cross plan just prior to my move. I'll keep my current plan, which does cover treatment overseas, until a year after my PC plan kicks in for pre-existing conditions. PC is cheaper, but I can afford the overlap for the period of overlap. Fortunately BCBS does have providers in the PI so finding a provider isn't going to be a problem. My problem is figuring out when I can get over to scout retirement locations. Stay safe and keep up the great content!

[@iggi70]

Thanks for the BCBS info. I have FEHB BCBS coverage for myself. Wife has Champ VA, if that's inadequate in the PI I can enroll her into my plan open season.

[@garycourtney740]

Thanks for the information Steve I am 60% service connected

[@mikehines2792]

MAN, YOU ARE STRAIGHT UP..... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE👌🏽👍🏽🙏🏽🙌🏽💪🏽🤗‼️‼️‼️

[@rusco1948]

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP

[@RichTravel1010]

No problem 👍

[@backtosicily586]

Great to know! Thanks, Shipmate Steve!! Be well, stay safe!

[@kennydinthephilippines2655]

Yeah for the most part all the VA will do for us there is blood work once a year unless it’s a connected disability on your rating . I myself just see the VA once a year for blood work and the tell them I’m alive and that helps with disability payment you receive

[@benjaminortiz387]

Well I guess that dampens my plans on retiring in Central Luzon. I’m a 100%DAV and I was hoping the VA in Manila would be somewhat similar to our VA system in California. I have been looking into Tricare in case I travel outside of the US. Thanks for the information

[@ryanap]

I am an Army Veteran. Filipino American. Considering moving and settling there.

[@RaymondWalinski]

Greetings from new jersey. The v a hospitals here are great

[@keithlopez7268]

If you have Tricare you're covered by certain hospitals but those are only located by subic bay you also have to be 100 percent disabled or retired to qualify for Tricare

[@snowpatriot4045]

What about retired military; is it the same treatment?

[@leonardmarlin4330]

I'm thinking why couldn't they allow America exspat to use our Medicare just as they allow the VA exspats to use FMP. It would make sense and filing to be reimbursed wouldn't be any different then my having to pay up front then get a partial reimbursement as I've done with my insurance with Pacific Cross. I've only filled 1 time in 10 months and with a few phone calls got 80 percent reimbursed with no medications covered. Two months later. Granted the total bill was only 8,800 php But still 6,000 php is 6,000 php.

[@jonniewaniak4494]

what if I'm 100% covered by the VA?

[@Sarge57]

Thanks! Hoo Rah!

[@donaldhawkins8439]

Thats one thing about VA system in Philippines That I do not understand there a lot of US veterans there and many are Filpinos who served in the US military. In the US if your 50% or more they cover all of your health care needs not just your disability. I believe the vets and disable vets should be taken care of the same way as if your in the US because your still a Veteran. But my believes are not realty.

[@gerardoguzman5083]

I fully agree with you. Too much greed that they resort to fraud which end up sacrificing those that are truthful for a few extra bucks in their pockets

[@bigtime911]

Wonder how many vets use va Manila?

[@wesleymontieth8262]

Does VA clinic in Manila still provide medicine subscriptions on service connected conditions?

[@RichTravel1010]

Yes

[@FontanaVlog]

personally I think they are better than in America . They care more , but I do understand what you are saying

[@thomasrader5929]

If you go here money talk don't forget this

[@stevehopper6068]

How about getting prescriptions filled for service connected disabilities?

[@RichTravel1010]

They do it

[@lastofthefinest]

Can you get insurance they have for their regular citizens?

[@RichTravel1010]

Yes

[@KevinP32270]

THANKS!!

[@BeerBikes]

Thanks Steve for the VA info. when arriving the PI, You recommend checking in right away at the VA hospital? And supplementing it with Phil Health a good choice? thanks again//

[@RichTravel1010]

Check in right away and sign up for FMP when you go in. And get Pacific Cross with Access or get Insurance from Pacific Prime for Expats.

[@BeerBikes]

@@RichTravel1010 Will do, thanks Steve, much appreciate the advice.

[@paulskibo8585]

Hi I'm a hundred percent disabled vet will I be able to get my prescriptions at the VA Clinic

[@RichTravel1010]

Yes they did with me. If not FMP should cover it if Service Connected.

[@adaml2932]

Hey man I didn't know u were a fellow Masshole. I'm from Springfield area & considering moving to Cebu for a little while for a change of scenery & low cost of living

[@lastofthefinest]

What about being treated on a United States military base over there?

[@RichTravel1010]

There are not any U.S. bases here

[@jamespierce8157]

Nice looking dog...

[@RichTravel1010]

He says Thanks !!! ✌️👍

[@kfubink6010]

Not for me bcz from the Netherlands but great info for VAT's from US

[@rickyjaypeterson4704]

Just wanted pharmacy support. "Jason" at enrollment seems to know a lot about what he/VA can't, won't, do. 25 minutes trying to just get enrolled and he just kept repeating the same things they wouldn't do. Wife finally got on went native and repeated what they can't do in less then a minute. So waiting to see if I qualify ( already 100%T&P), just need a few maintenance meds. Sure it's all a cautionary tale, and Filipinos "OVERSPLAIN" simple issues. Just the fact Manong just the facts. Good info, will look for the FMP info.

[@jamesalias595]

I would guess that military retirees eligible for Tricare would outnumber DAV's in the Philippines, and some DAV would be dual eligible. I imagine Tricare would be a much better option than PhilHealth for those even with premiums if eligible. While FMP is free for DAV, a secondary insurance coverage I would say is justified.

[@RichTravel1010]

I’m not sure they outnumber DAV’s .... but maybe.

[@iggi70]

I get VA dental at my local VA clinic. Do they do dental in VA Makati?

[@RichTravel1010]

I don’t believe they do. That I’ve heard. I never asked. I doubt it though.

[@merrymoyers1820]

Sorry to make a comment on something totally unrelated to this video, but I was wondering if you could do a video of the local market and tell us the prices of the veggies and fruit? Most vloggers show the market but not really the price of things. I would like to know for my plan to visit. 😁 If it's not too inconvenient! That would be so awesome!

[@RichTravel1010]

Hi Merry, I did a video in the past showing the Fruit Market and I believe you can see the prices. I’ll try to do the Vegetable Market soon.

[@merrymoyers1820]

@@RichTravel1010 I did watch that one! 👍 Thank you

[@christopherrivers5114]

Yea but do we lose our va compensation is the biggest thing. When we move to the Philippines would I lose my 100% compensation?

[@RichTravel1010]

No

[@BigRondog16]

So what if your 100% Disabled P&T

[@RichTravel1010]

Just Service Connections treated at the Clinic from what I was told. FMP is the same.

[@jerseyinthephilippines1283]

Steve I’m fixing on coming over soon with my wife and kids. I’ll be coming over as a balikbayan. I just bought the magic jack. Can I just worry about hooking everything up and keeping my cell number when I get there? Or should I download the app for my cell phone and set up the adapter to my computer and try using a land line to see if it works while I’m here still?

[@RichTravel1010]

I would do everything there including downloading the MagicApp too. Get it all setup and done there.

[@jerseyinthephilippines1283]

@@RichTravel1010 ok good deal thanks Steve!

[@wildbill7081]

Hi Steve this is Bill I sent you an email a few days ago i dont hear back yet but yeah this is great info and your right the VA Clinic here does great stuff with what they can do but yes if anything serious you have to find the FMP Hosp here but when I found out I had Cancer of the nose they told me to go back to the USA so I did that back in August of 2019 went to Huntsville Alabama VA and the minute I walked in they quickly started getting me help and lined me up with a great civilian cancer specialist. They had to remove 3/4 of my nose and rebuilt it and I look different now but they got all the cancer out thanks to the great work at the Huntsville VA and the cancer specialist.................Now I am back here in Cavite Philippines living live to the fullest again...........hey Steve email me I am not sure you got my email it might be in the spam...............

[@RichTravel1010]

I’ll check my mail after this. If you don’t hear from me in 12 hours please resend to my email: [e-mail]

[@donaldspurlin9973]

Once again great information. Keep up the great work. Thank you

[@RichTravel1010]

Hi Bill, I checked my mail and junk and nothing in there. Resend to my email at: [e-mail]

[@wildbill7081]

@@RichTravel1010 hi steve I will resend to you the email maybe it got lost in space hahahaha

[@monstadable]

What's the title of your video regarding Pacific cross? Thanks

[@RichTravel1010]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqrCoqKcraxnmNU

[@RichTravel1010]

She left her info in the comments

[@RichTravel1010]

If you need more info let me know

[@gt1601]

Can you still file for a claim while living there?

[@RichTravel1010]

Yes

[@Sarge57]

Yes. The invoice must be in English but luckily most are in the Philippines.

[@catdorrs6890]

Question is what about if you have a service connected ? What the difference between service connected or not service connected ? I'm service connected 80 % & 60% service injury ?

[@RichTravel1010]

I never heard of that..... Not sure

[@jamesfranklin615]

What is the 80 % and 60 % ? You'll be covered for those but I'd try and get secondary to those. Then those will be covered also. Ptsd mdd etc can cause a wide variety of secondary from heart issues to pain. I'd get it all noted before you move. Get you a doctor that knows how to write a nexus letter and the key wording that has to be in the letter . Not trying to coach but the va has been screwing veterans out of what this country promised us since the 30s. You a veteran and don't want or need the va then that's fine but to others it's life or death.

[@anthonyrusso4750]

Have a few questions I would like to ask you being a disabled veteran. Is there a way to contact you? Email?

[@RichTravel1010]

[e-mail]

[@josephnagle3852]

If im at 100 percent they wont see me for anything else

[@garlandvincent3742]

As a USMC vet , I’m still in the USA , they don’t take care of you in the USA either , meaning I was turned down medical benefits cause my retirement income was s little high , VA don’t give shit bout my service

[@RichTravel1010]

They are great people here.

[@iggi70]

They can't turn you down if your service connected. They will treat your service connected health issue.

[@2000ViperGTSsubscribe]

VA healthcare is only for retired, dependent or disabled. it is and never was designed for every veteran, unless it is service connected. If you think you have a service connection, speak to a DSO, NSO, VSO about potentially fling a claim. I am a DAV rep in the USA, and you can go into a myriad of Facebook VA benefits forums too.

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

the VA doesnt just give retirement age vets medical benefit by default... you need a rating

[@83Utica]

They initially turned me down because they said my income was too high. but if you served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 they cannot turn you down. I just had to be persistent.

[@tonyanddanger]

You mean to tell me you can't even go in for a yearly checkup and if you did and God forbid develop diabetes they would tell you Sorry Charlie

[@RichTravel1010]

You can get a yearly checkup if service connected. And yes if no Service Connection it’s Sorry Charlie.

[@Filo-Joe]

You should vlog about the Filipinos calling alll Americans Joe. Do not be offended.

[@RichTravel1010]

Maybe

[@Filo-Joe]

Awesome. Can't wait for your insight.

[@josephnagle3852]

Brocton va stinks

[@sharfulee66]

Asking u if there is Dental clinic at VA Hospital in Manila?

[@RichTravel1010]

I never asked but I don’t believe they do. I never heard of one mentioned while in there.