Healthcare in the Philippines is a tale of two systems. Top private hospitals in Manila, Cebu and Davao offer excellent care at a fraction of US prices. But hospitals generally expect payment, or a deposit, before treatment, and a serious illness or accident can still run into hundreds of thousands, or millions, of pesos.
That's why expat health insurance is the single most important financial decision for expats here, especially retirees. This guide compares your four main options. (For how hospitals themselves work, see private vs public hospitals in the Philippines.)
The four options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Typical cost* | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| International expat insurance | Retirees, families, anyone wanting treatment abroad | High | Price rises steeply with age |
| Local private insurance | Long-term residents happy to be treated in the PH | Medium | Enrolment age limits, lower caps |
| HMO plans | Younger expats, outpatient care | Low | Network-only, low annual limits, age caps |
| PhilHealth | Supplement to other cover | Very low | Covers only a fraction of private-hospital bills |
*Costs vary widely by age, deductible and coverage area. Get quotes for your own age.
1. International expat health insurance
Global insurers such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care, Bupa Global and (for Americans) GeoBlue offer plans built for people living abroad.
Pros
- High annual limits (often US$1M+)
- Choice of hospitals in the Philippines and abroad
- Optional cover in your home country, useful for Americans not on Medicare abroad
- Medical evacuation to Singapore, Bangkok or home is often included
- Many guarantee lifetime renewal once you're enrolled
Cons
- Expensive, and premiums climb sharply after 60
- Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or loaded
- You often pay the hospital first and claim back, unless the hospital has direct billing
Rough cost: a healthy 45-year-old might pay a few thousand US dollars a year for Asia-only cover with a sensible deductible. Over 65, the same plan can cost several times more. These are ballpark figures, so get quotes for your own age.
2. Local private health insurance
Philippine-based insurers such as Pacific Cross offer indemnity health plans aimed at both Filipinos and foreign residents.
Pros
- Much cheaper than international plans for comparable in-country cover
- Familiar with local hospitals and billing
- Some will accept new members at older ages than HMOs
Cons
- Lower annual and lifetime limits
- Maximum enrolment ages, often somewhere in the 60s or early 70s, depending on the insurer
- Limited or no cover outside the Philippines
3. HMO plans (Maxicare, Intellicare, MediCard and others)
HMOs are the most common form of cover for Filipino employees. You get access to a network of accredited clinics and hospitals with little or no out-of-pocket cost for covered care.
Pros
- Cheap, especially for younger people
- Great for consultations, lab tests and routine outpatient care
- Cashless at accredited facilities
Cons
- Low annual limits per illness, which can be quickly exhausted by a serious hospitalisation
- Network restrictions
- Strict age limits for new enrolments
- Pre-existing conditions often excluded for a waiting period
HMOs work best as day-to-day cover alongside a high-deductible insurance plan, not as your only protection.
4. PhilHealth
PhilHealth is the national health insurance program. Foreign residents with an ACR I-Card can register, including SRRV holders through the PRA. PhilHealth's 2017 circular for foreigners set an annual premium of ₱15,000 for PRA-registered retirees and ₱17,000 for other foreign residents, payable quarterly, semi-annually or annually. That circular dates from 2017, so confirm the current premium with PhilHealth or the PRA before you budget. Benefits generally require at least three months of contributions in the six months before you're admitted.
Pros: cheap, and accepted by most hospitals.
Cons: benefits are fixed "case rates" that may cover only a small share of a private-hospital bill.
Treat PhilHealth as a discount on your bill, not insurance.
How to choose: three common profiles
The 35-year-old digital nomad: an HMO for routine care plus a travel or international plan with medical evacuation. Low cost, and covered for the big stuff.
The 55-year-old couple relocating permanently: enrol in a local private plan or international plan now, while you're still under the age limits. Add PhilHealth. This is the age when locking in cover matters most.
The 70-year-old retiree: options narrow. Some international plans still accept new members, at high premiums and with pre-existing exclusions. Many retirees at this age combine PhilHealth, a dedicated emergency fund (₱1–2M), and a hospital near home with transparent pricing.
Our take: The mistake we see most is waiting. Expats arrive at 58, plan to "sort insurance later", and find at 66 that local plans won't take them and international premiums have doubled. If you're over 50, buy cover in your first month.
What to check in any policy
- Annual limit and any per-illness cap
- Deductible/excess and co-pay
- Pre-existing condition rules (excluded, moratorium or covered with a loading)
- Direct billing at the hospitals you'd actually use
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Guaranteed renewal: can they drop you at 75?
- Outpatient cover, or inpatient only
Get a quote
Compare international and long-stay health plans.
For more on how healthcare works day to day, see our healthcare guide for expats. Americans should also read about the Medicare gap in our Social Security in the Philippines guide.
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Always read the policy wording before buying.