Healthcare in the Philippines (2026): Insurance, PhilHealth, Medication & Expat Options
Healthcare in the Philippines is a key concern for expats and long-term residents. There is no one-size-fits-all answer — we all live in different circumstances, have different budgets and responsibilities, and face different risks. But one thing is certain: everyone needs a clear plan for dealing with illness, accidents, or unexpected medical events.
Health insurance and healthcare planning can take many forms. For some, this means a simple pay-as-you-go approach supported by personal savings. For others, it involves comprehensive international insurance that offers maximum protection and peace of mind, but at a significant cost.
In these healthcare guides, we explore practical options that help you find the right balance for your lifestyle and budget as an expat in the Philippines — from PhilHealth and HMO plans to international insurance and everyday medication access.
Table of Contents
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2.HMO - Health Management Organisations
3.International Health Insurance
Explore the Site’s Core Hubs and Selected Guides
These three hubs form the core of the site — covering everyday life in the Philippines, world-class diving, and the society that shapes daily experience. Below them are practical guides focused on the real decisions involved in long-term living, including healthcare, visas, housing, education, internet access, cost of living, and driving legally.
Philhealth Insurance
PhilHealth is the backbone of the Philippine healthcare system and is often the first form of cover expats encounter. It can significantly reduce hospital bills, but it works very differently from Western-style insurance, with fixed case rates, capped benefits, and unavoidable out-of-pocket costs.
Understanding who can enrol, what is realistically covered, and where the limits lie is essential before relying on PhilHealth as part of your long-term healthcare plan. In the full guide below, we explain how PhilHealth works in practice for foreign residents, what it costs, and how it fits alongside private and international insurance.
Understand how PhilHealth works for expats — who can join, what it covers, and how to enroll.
Visit the official PhilHealth website for current membership guidance, contribution rates, benefit circulars, and contact details.
HMO - Health Management Organisations
HMO plans are the most common form of private healthcare cover used by expats in the Philippines. They sit between PhilHealth and full medical insurance, offering prepaid, cashless access to clinics and partner hospitals for routine care and everyday medical needs.
However, HMO coverage comes with important limits — restricted networks, capped benefit ceilings, referral requirements, and age restrictions that can affect long-term suitability. In the full guide below, we explain how HMO plans work in practice, what they realistically cover, and how to decide whether they fit your healthcare strategy.
Health Management Organisations - The middle ground between Philhealth and full medical insurance.
International Health Insurance
International health insurance is the highest level of medical cover available to expats in the Philippines. It is designed to protect against major illness, long hospital stays, overseas treatment, and emergency evacuation — but it is also the most complex and expensive option to manage.
Understanding coverage tiers, deductibles, age-related pricing, and how international policies fit alongside PhilHealth and HMO plans is essential before committing long term. In the full guide below, we explain how these policies work in practice, what they really cost over time, and when they make sense as part of a layered healthcare strategy.
From coverage levels, budget planning & expat options - Everything You Need To Know
Managing Medication
Managing medication in the Philippines is often more challenging than expats expect. While many medicines are affordable and widely available, others may be difficult to find, substituted, or affected by regional shortages — even with a valid prescription.
For anyone with ongoing treatment or chronic conditions, understanding how the local supply system works is essential. In the full guide below, we explain how to plan ahead, manage prescriptions after arrival, and avoid disruption when your usual medication isn’t available.
Learn how to manage your prescriptions as an expat — what to bring, what’s available locally, and how to plan for emergencies.
Selected Articles from the Diving and Society Hubs
Below is a small selection of in-depth articles drawn from the Diving and Filipino Society hubs. These pieces explore some of the Philippines’ most distinctive dive destinations alongside the cultural, historical, and social context that shapes everyday life in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PhilHealth enough for expats living in the Philippines?
PhilHealth helps reduce hospital bills through fixed case-rate benefits, but it rarely covers the full cost of treatment. Most expats use it as baseline cover and combine it with an HMO or private insurance for better protection.
What is the difference between an HMO and international health insurance?
HMO plans provide prepaid, cashless access to local clinics and hospitals with capped benefits. International health insurance offers higher limits, wider hospital choice, overseas treatment, and emergency evacuation, but at a much higher cost.
Can foreign residents enrol in PhilHealth?
Yes, most long-term and resident visa holders can apply for PhilHealth as voluntary members. Tourist visa holders are generally not eligible, even if they hold an ACR I-Card.
Do I still need health insurance if I live near good private hospitals?
Living near good hospitals improves access, but it does not remove financial risk. Serious illness, surgery, or long hospital stays can still be expensive, which is why many expats use layered cover.
Are prescription medicines easy to get in the Philippines?
Many common medicines are widely available, but specific brands, specialised drugs, and long-term treatments may be limited or affected by shortages. Expats with ongoing medication needs should plan ahead.
What is the best healthcare setup for most expats?
For many long-term residents, the most practical approach is layered coverage: PhilHealth for baseline support, an HMO for routine care, and optional international insurance for major medical events.
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