Health Insurance In the Philippines For Foreigners
Health insurance is available to foreigners in the Philippines through international health insurance, private local health insurance, or public national health insurance. Foreigners may be able to enroll in national health insurance through their employer or voluntarily.
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Are you a foreigner looking to visit or move to the Philippines and want to know more about your health insurance options? Maybe you’d like to know if you need a private health insurance policy, or if the national health insurance coverage is enough.
This article from Pacific Prime will answer all your questions on all things health insurance in the Philippines. We will discuss the public health system, how to enroll with national health insurance and the benefits of having your own private health insurance policy.
An Overview of Health Insurance in the Philippines for Foreigners
Foreigners in the Philippines can purchase a local health insurance policy, or an international health insurance plan, or they may be able to enroll in the Philippines’ national health insurance through their employers or voluntarily.
With health insurance, foreigners will have financial support for their medical services during their time in the Philippines. Healthcare costs in the Philippines are generally affordable for most foreigners, but costs can vary.
Public Health Insurance in the Philippines
Filipino citizens have access to public national health insurance that covers basic health services at a subsidized rate or free of charge, depending on income. This public health insurance is funded by government subsidies and run by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, known as PhilHealth.
Filipino National Health Insurance System PhilHealth
The PhilHealth insurance program is funded by government subsidies at the national and local level, and through company payroll deductions. Filipino citizens who can pay premiums will do so, whereas those who cannot afford it will have their insurance sponsored by the government.
PhilHealth offers basic healthcare coverage, including emergency and urgent care, inpatient services, and non-emergency care. Those who can afford to pay premiums will be eligible to more insurance benefits than those who cannot pay their contributions.
PhilHealth Monthly Premium Contibution Costs
PhilHealth premium contribution in 2024 to 2025 cost 5% of your monthly salary, with your employer paying half of that if you are enrolled through your employer. Expats who are enrolled voluntarily will be expected to pay the 5% on their own.
International Health Insurance for Foreigners in the Philippines
International health insurance plans are a great choice for foreigners looking for healthcare coverage that covers them wherever they go. Local private health insurance policies will only cover foreigners while they are within the Philippines.
International health insurance can help financially support expats and visitors during their time in the country and grant them access to higher-quality private healthcare facilities. With international health insurance, you can have customizable plans and comprehensive benefits.
Well-known international health insurance providers like Cigna, Allianz, and others offer a wide variety of insurance plans at different price points and coverage limits.
Shop and compare quotes online to see which plan best fits your lifestyle.
International Health Insurance Plan Considerations
Before selecting an international health insurance plan, you should consider factors like where you will be staying, for how long, and how much coverage you will need. These factors can help you understand which international health insurance policy will be your best fit.
For example, if you are going to be staying in the rural regions of the Philippines, you will likely want to choose a plan with medical evacuation coverage because of their limited access to adequate healthcare facilities.
Because of this poor access to healthcare, if you are seriously injured or sick, you may need to be evacuated to Manila or even another country for treatment. A medical evacuation benefit will cover the costs of transporting you to the nearest hospital or clinic, which can include costly helicopter rides.
Understanding how long you will be staying in the Philippines and how much coverage you need can help you decide if you need a more comprehensive international health insurance plan or if you can make do with a travel medical insurance plan.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Public Health Insurance in the Philippines
The benefits of using PhilHealth in the Philippines include lower costs, while the disadvantages are lack of access to hospitals and clinics. In large cities like Manila there are readily accessible public hospitals, but rural areas can have limited access to healthcare.
While there are many English speakers in the Philippines’ public healthcare system, not every healthcare provider is multilingual. Relying only on public healthcare can create communication barriers, unlike private healthcare facilities, which offer more multilingual providers.
Foreigners who qualify for PhilHealth may be drawn to the low premiums, but costs aren’t everything. Expats looking to have more comprehensive coverage can purchase a private health insurance policy as a supplement to their PhilHealth plan.
How Do Foreigners Qualify for Filipino Public Health Insurance?
Foreigners can qualify for PhilHealth by being employed in the Philippines, have legal residency status, or if they marry a Filipino citizen. In fact, PhilHealth enrollment is mandatory for everyone who works in the Philippines, including foreigners.
When enrolled in PhilHealth under your employer, you will pay a percentage of the cost while your employer will pay another percentage themselves. Those who register voluntarily (not under an employer) will need to make their payments on their own.
Application Process for PhilHealth
If you are employed by a Philippines employer, they will take care of the application process for you, and if you are filing voluntarily, you will likely be applying under the Informal Economy Member category.
Before you begin your application process for PhilHealth, check to make sure you are eligible and gather together any documents you may need, such as copies of your ID and passports, proof of residency, and your visa.
The steps for applying as an Informal Economy Member are:
- Visit any of the Local Health Insurance Offices or PhilHealth Express outlets nationwide
- Fill out (2) copies of the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
- Submit PMRF to a Local Health Insurance Office or to a PhilHealth Express outlet
- Await Member Data Record (MDR) and PhilHealth ID Card
- Pay the necessary premium contribution using your PhilHealth ID number
Payments for your premium contributions can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
International Health Insurance Coverage Available in the Philippines
International health insurance provides expats in the Philippines with comprehensive global coverage that can be tailored to suit their needs better. With international health insurance, foreigners won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services.
International health insurance benefits are available to policyholders wherever they are, from the Philippines to another country. Some examples of coverage provided by these plans include inpatient and outpatient care, wellness and mental health support, medication coverage, and more.
Foreigners who are enrolled in PhilHealth can choose international health insurance as a way to supplement their coverage. With this additional coverage, they can access private healthcare facilities for much lower costs and can choose which provider they’d like to visit in their network.
How to Access the Healthcare System in the Philippines
Foreigners can access healthcare services in the Philippines by visiting a clinic or hospital. Generally, you will not need an appointment to be seen, but be aware that in public clinics and hospitals, you will have to wait longer to be seen than in private healthcare facilities.
Anyone visiting a clinic or hospital can access healthcare, but how you much you have to pay will depend on your insurance coverage. With private health insurance coverage, you can access private healthcare facilities and you won’t be stuck paying your bill out-of-pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can foreigners apply for public health insurance in the Philippines?
Foreigners can apply for public health insurance in the Philippines either voluntarily under the Informal Economy Member category or they will be enrolled automatically by their Filipino employer. Foreigners can also qualify for national health insurance if they marry a Filipino citizen.
What is PhilHealth, and how does it work?
PhilHealth is a Philippine Health Insurance Corporation that is a government organization that subsidizes healthcare for Filipino citizens and eligible foreigners. Members are entitled to health coverage through this plan by contributing regularly through premiums.
Can I have both PhilHealth and private health insurance?
PhilHealth members can choose to purchase supplementary private health insurance to extend their coverage and maximize their benefits. This additional health insurance is especially useful if they would like to access private healthcare facilities that offer a higher quality of care.
What are the benefits of having private health insurance in the Philippines?
Having private health insurance in the Philippines can grant you access to private healthcare facilities with higher quality of care, lower wait times, and more options when it comes to providers and treatments. Private international health insurance benefits you by being globally portable.
Conclusion:
Understanding the different health insurance options available to foreigners in the Philippines can help you make the right decision for your health coverage. Private health insurance grants you access to more choices of care, with higher quality facilities and lessened waiting times.
Are you ready to choose an international health insurance plan for your time in the Philippines? Contact an insurance expert from Pacific Prime for free advice and help picking a plan. We can provide a range of quotes to compare so you can find the right plan for your needs.
As an insurance broker, we aren’t tied to one insurance provider like an insurance agent would be. As a result, we can offer unbiased advice on a wide variety of plans, helping our clients find the best fit for them. With our help, you can have the financial protection you need for your next adventure.
We offer a wide variety of expat health insurance plans, including international health insurance, travel insurance, maternity insurance, and more. Reach out to us online to begin insurance shopping today!
Or if you’d like to compare quotes on your own, you can use our free quote tool on our website.
Enjoy this article? Check out another article on a similar topic: Philippines Health Insurance For Long-Term Visitors.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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Comments
2 Comments
What steps can expats take to ensure their health insurance covers telemedicine or virtual consultations while living in the Philippines? Are there specific providers that specialize in remote healthcare services?
To ensure your health insurance in the Philippines covers telemedicine or virtual consultations, expats should verify if their plan includes outpatient care with telehealth services and check for any restrictions or network requirements. Many international health insurance providers, such as Cigna or Allianz, offer plans specifically tailored to include telemedicine, making them a great choice for remote healthcare access. Additionally, expats can explore local providers like Maxicare or MediCard, which are known to integrate telemedicine into their coverage.
For personalized advice on choosing a plan that suits your needs, reach out to our team at Pacific Prime via our Contact Us page.
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