I am trying to find out information regarding the costs for healthcare
items and services in the Philippines.  I am trying to compare the
costs for healthcare in Canada and the Philippines.  I have already
done the research for Canada but am having significant difficulty
contacting individuals within the Philippines to get the proper
information/answers.  I will list the specific costs that I am looking
for.  I would appreciate any informatoin that you might be able to
find.  Of course, I would prefer if you can provide sources with the
information as I need to be able to back this up as part of a work
project.

Here are the costs that I am searching for:

1) Hourly or session rate for Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy treatment
2) Hourly/session rate for Occupational Therapy treatment
3) Fee for visit to family doctor/physician
4) Hourly/session rate for Psychiatric treatment
5) Hourly/session rate for psychological counselling
6) Hourly/session rate for family/marital counselling
7) Fee for visit to an Ophthalmologist
8) Hourly/session rate for Podiatrist
9) Hourly/session rate for Speech Therapy
10)Fee for Neuropsychological Assessment
11)Hourly rate for Case Management Services
12)Hourly rate for Rehab Assistant/Therapy Support Worker/Community
Support Worker/Health Care Aid (I am not sure what the proper title
would be in the Philippines if at all)
13) Fee for consultation with a Physical Medicine Specialist/Physiatrist

I also need to know the following:

1) Cost for a membership at a local fitness facility/gym
2) Cost for the following medications (i.e. cost per tablet):
  Olanzapine (5 mg)
  Citalopram (20 or 40 mg)
  Lacri-Lube
  Botox (for spasticity) (cost per vial)
I realize that they may not carry these medications in the Philippines
so this would also be helpful to know.

3) Hourly rate for housekeeping services
4) Average cost for a pair of reading glasses

5) Cost for assistive devices and medical equipment.  The list for
this is quite extensive.  Therefore, I certainly do not expect you to
look up everything.  I understand that the medical supply companies in
the Philippines order their equipment from companies in the United
States so I just need to know whether the prices charged by the
Amercian companies are similar to what is charged in the Philippines
or whether they adjust the prices at all (i.e. for things like
wheelchairs, raised toilet seats, bath seats, foot braces, etc.).

I know that I have a lot of questions but I guess ideally I am hoping
that you will be able to find one or two sources that list all of the
costs together (i.e. specifically the costs for medical/therapy
treatments).  I do not know if the costs are pretty much the same
throughout the Philippines so in light of this, I am looking for
services in the Manila area.  Also, I realize that there is a
possiblity that not all of these services are offered in the
Philippines so this would also be helpful to know.

Lastly, I am assuming that services are provided both in hospital and
in private clinics so if it is at all possible, I need to know whether
the costs for services are similar and whether individuals have to pay
out of pocket for all services.

I appreciate any help as I have become overwhelmed with this search!

---

Clarification of Question by elma37-ga on 20 Oct 2004 11:43 PDT

I am sorry if this seems like I am asking for a lot of information.  I
guess that I just thought that there would be a document or 2 of some
sort out there that lists costs for healthcare services (as I have
found here in Canada) and thus I figured that experienced researchers
would be able to find this information much more readily than someone
like myself.  However, if you think that offering a higher price is
reasonable then I would ask how much more I should be offering as I am
new to this service.

Thanks for the advice.

---

Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 20 Oct 2004 11:46 PDT

Hello elma37-ga,

You can review the Google Answers pricing guidelines so that you can
calibrate your pricing and expectations. Thanks.

http://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html

~ czh ~

---

Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 24 Oct 2004 09:37 PDT

Hello elma37-ga,

I think  you might have better luck getting at least some of your
questions answered if you broke this up into multiple small questions.
Researchers could give you the answers that are easy to find and the
hard to find ones would not prevent them being answered. Good luck.

~ czh ~

Hello Elma37,
Researchers might find it a bit unencouraging to find a wealth of
information, like what you ask, for $20. May I suggest offering a
higher price, which I also perceive as more appropriate for all the
information you are requesting.

I have increased the price that I am offering but I don't know if I
can afford to go much beyond that.  I guess I'll just wait to see if
anything happens!

Thanks