I’m not exactly a freelancer as I am employed full-time, but I manage my government contributions, taxes, and healthcare on my own so I’m as good as one. So I’d like to write about my experiences so far with Maxicare for future reference and maybe to help someone out there who’s also looking for an HMO.
Applying for the MyMaxicare plan
I was looking around for a good HMO for freelancers, specifically one with a program that covers pre-existing illnesses. After trawling through the comments sections of Facebook posts, many forums, and of course the Maxicare website itself, I decided the MyMaxicare plan fit the bill. It came recommended by my brother, too.
But one feature that hooked me in was that my application could be processed entirely online; no need to look for an agent or visit a physical office to submit documents. After carefully reading the MyMaxicare 2017 brochure, which outlined the benefits, limitations, and such, I applied online through the Maxicare website.
Three weeks later, I received an email from a Maxicare agent saying my application was approved and containing a statement of account. The great thing is that the amount stated on the Maxicare website when you get a sample computation for the MyMaxicare plan of your choice is the same amount that I was charged—no hidden fees or anything of the sort.
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I get new glasses every year or so because my frames break every year or so. Since 2013, I’ve been buying cheap plastic frames (P200 to P300) from the department store and having the lenses replaced with graded ones in optical shops. I spend around P1,000 for them. I don’t really mind shelling out around a thousand pesos each year for glasses because it’s exciting for me to shop for new frames. I never get the same frame twice because that’s just boring. 
