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If you’re moving to the Philippines, it’s important to think about how you will access healthcare. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the healthcare system in the Philippines, how to get treatment as an expat and how international health insurance helps you and your family get the best care.
We’ll cover:
Qian Huang
International Claims Manager
The healthcare system in the Philippines is a mixture of public and private healthcare. The Philippines’ government-run, universal healthcare system, PhilHealth, was introduced in 2019, aiming to provide all Filipinos with access to quality healthcare services.
Expats who are living and working in the Philippines can access PhilHealth through their employer, or as part of the informal membership category. However, many expats in the Philippines choose to supplement their PhilHealth cover with private international health insurance for access to a better range of facilities and treatment options, along with English-speaking practitioners.
To understand how the healthcare system works in the Philippines, it’s important to first understand the hospital structure.
As of 31 December 2024, there are 1,908 hospitals in the Philippines, split between public and private. These hospitals are categorised under three levels depending on their capabilities and resources:
Hospitals that provide emergency care and have inpatient beds, but do not have facilities like an operating room or laboratory are classed as ‘infirmaries’.
Hospitals can be either public or private, regardless of their level. They may provide both public and private care services within the same facility.
There are 1,106 private hospitals in the Philippines, including 452 Level 1 hospitals, 339 Level 2 hospitals and 61 Level 3 hospitals. Unlike public hospitals that rely on government funding, private hospitals and clinics are typically well-funded, have shorter wait times and offer better patient experiences. As a result, they are the preferred choice for many middle- and upper-class Filipinos, as well as expats living and working in the country.
Another marker of quality for the Filipino private healthcare system is its growing reputation in medical tourism. The Philippines has become an emerging destination for affordable yet world-class medical services, particularly in cosmetic surgery, dental care, and other specialised treatments. Compared to Western countries, private hospitals in the Philippines offer high-quality procedures at significantly lower costs, attracting international patients seeking both affordability and expertise.
Private healthcare in the Philippines follows a fee-for-service model, where patients either pay out of pocket or use private health insurance or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans.
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan is a type of health insurance that provides medical services through a specific network of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers. It requires members to choose a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates their healthcare and provides referrals to specialists when needed.
In contrast, private health insurance offers more flexibility by allowing policyholders to see any doctor or hospital without being restricted to a network. Unlike HMOs, many private health insurance plans do not require referrals for specialists, making it easier for members to access care directly.
PhilHealth is the Philippines’ universal healthcare system and is compulsory for most Filipino citizens. There are currently 802 accredited PhilHealth hospitals, including 332 Level 1 hospitals, 63 Level 2 hospitals and 61 Level 3 hospitals.
Funded through taxation, PhilHealth contributions are taken from workers’ salaries, while self-employed workers pay their contributions directly to the government. The primary aim of PhilHealth is to make healthcare accessible to all citizens, however PhilHealth members must still pay out-of-pocket up to 40% of their medical treatments.
Yes, expats can receive medical care in both public and private hospitals across the Philippines. However, treatment costs are typically out-of-pocket in both sectors as the government-funded healthcare system only covers up to 40% of medical expenses, even in public hospitals.
Meanwhile, private hospitals provide higher-quality treatment, modern facilities, and shorter wait times, but at a higher cost. Many private hospitals may also require proof of insurance before admitting patients, making it essential to have a comprehensive international health insurance policy in place.
Expats who are legal residents in the Philippines, such as those with a work visa or retirement visa, are required to contribute to PhilHealth, the government’s national health insurance program. However, short-term visitors, digital nomads, and those without formal residency are not obliged to pay into PhilHealth and can choose to live without health insurance. While you will still have access to both public and private hospitals, your medical expenses will need to be paid out of pocket. Since private healthcare can be costly, some hospitals may refuse treatment if you cannot prove your ability to pay.
If you would prefer not to take out an additional health insurance policy, and you have the financial means to do so, you may choose to fund your medical care from personal savings or income. This can allow access to many private hospitals, provided you can demonstrate that you can cover your expenses. However, some institutions may still require proof of valid insurance, particularly for costly treatments, or may refuse treatment if the costs exceed what you can afford.
While living in the Philippines, you will find many local health insurance providers and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans offering cover for private healthcare in exchange for an annual premium. HMO policies are a popular option as they provide access to a network of accredited hospitals, clinics, and doctors, often with cashless transactions for covered services. However, HMO plans have limitations, such as requiring treatment within a specific network, pre-approval for certain procedures, and coverage caps. Additionally, both local insurance and HMO policies may not cover treatment outside the Philippines and often exclude benefits such as medical evacuation coverage.
Some companies, like William Russell, offer global health insurance that includes cover in the Philippines. With international health insurance, you can access private healthcare across a broad network that extends not just throughout the Philippines, but worldwide. You’re more likely to have an English-speaking customer service team, policy documents in English, and premiums in a western currency. International health insurance policies are more expensive than their local counterparts, but you have the financial and consumer security of a western insurance company, and most likely a better insurance product.
Let’s explore the key differences between international health insurance, local health insurance and HMOs, relying on the public healthcare system, and self-insurance.
International health insurance
Local health insurance & HMOs
Public healthcare
Self-insurance
The public healthcare system in the Philippines is improving rapidly, however it’s still a way off what many expats might expect in their home countries.
Currently, the Philippines ranks 145th in the world for healthcare, with an average life expectancy of 66 years for men and 74 years for women. The government has increased healthcare spending over the last decade, however public hospitals continue to face issues such as overcrowding, a shortage of medical professionals, and limited access to advanced medical equipment.
Private hospitals offer significantly better healthcare services, with modern equipment, shorter waiting lists, and highly trained doctors. However, the cost of private care can be high, making health insurance essential for those who want to access top-quality treatment.
Overall, while healthcare in the Philippines is accessible, the quality of care varies greatly between public and private hospitals. Those who can afford private healthcare will generally experience better treatment and facilities.
Public healthcare in the Philippines is heavily subsidised but not entirely free.
Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, all Filipinos, including registered expats, are automatically enrolled in PhilHealth, which covers a portion of medical costs. However, patients still need to pay out of pocket for some treatments, medications and medical expenses.
Private healthcare is entirely fee-based, meaning you must pay for services yourself, unless you are covered by insurance.
Although the government subsidises public healthcare, PhilHealth only covers a portion of medical expenses. The remaining costs must be paid by the patient.
Public hospitals often charge for consultations, procedures, and medications, and patients may need to buy their own medical supplies.
Due to limited resources, patients sometimes experience long wait times and may need to transfer to private hospitals for specialised care.
The cost of private healthcare in the Philippines varies depending on the facility and the type of treatment you need.
Here’s an overview of the typical costs for private medical services in the Philippines.
Source: Expat Financial
Expats who are legal residents, such as those with a work or retirement visa, are required to contribute to PhilHealth, but this provides limited coverage and does not fully cover private healthcare.
While you are not legally required to have additional health insurance, private hospitals may ask for proof of insurance before treatment, especially for expensive procedures. Without insurance, you’ll need to pay out of pocket, which can be costly.
Many expats choose to take out local or international health insurance to ensure they have access to high-quality private medical care when they need it.
If you are planning to retire in the Philippines, you will need to apply for a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV).
In order to apply for this visa, you will need to submit an Original Medical Certificate, which you can obtain from a physician in the Philippines. Only if you are healthy at the time of applying will you be eligible to receive an SRRV.
You will also need to show proof that you earn at least US$1,500 per month through a pension, and you will need to deposit at least US$10,000 into a Philippines bank account.
Once you receive your SRRV, it will entitle you to participate in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). This means you can receive free or subsidised public healthcare through PhilHealth.
It’s important to note that PhilHealth does not offer comprehensive cover. It will only reimburse a percentage of your medical expenses, and for more serious illnesses you may be left with a big bill to pay out of your own pocket. You may also find certain treatments and services are excluded under PhilHealth, so be sure to check what’s included.
For this reason, many expat retirees in the Philippines choose to subsidise their PhilHealth coverage with private medical insurance. The private insurance helps to compensate for any shortfalls in coverage by PhilHealth, while also ensuring retirees have a wider range of options when it comes to their healthcare.
At William Russell, we’ve provided health insurance to expats around the globe, including the Philippines, for over 30 years. During this time, we’ve worked closely with medical providers and expats to understand the common healthcare challenges they face while living in the Philippines. Based on our experience, these are the key benefits expats typically look for when choosing insurance in the Philippines.
While Metro Manila is home to several high-quality private hospitals, expats may still find their options limited for specialised treatments such as cancer care, neurology, and complex maternity services. For this reason, many expats choose to travel for medical treatment abroad in leading hospitals in Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur, where facilities are ranked among the best in Southeast Asia.
Given the high cost of medical care in countries like Singapore, expats living in the Philippines can benefit from an international health insurance policy that covers treatment across Southeast Asia. This ensures access to top-tier hospitals without facing overwhelming medical bills.
When you apply for a policy with William Russell, you can choose from a few different coverage zones, which can help you reduce your premium.
The quality of healthcare in the Philippines varies significantly outside of Metro Manila, Cebu, and other major cities. In rural areas and island regions, medical facilities may be under-resourced, with limited access to specialists and modern equipment. Language barriers can make it difficult to communicate with medical staff.
Expats should strongly consider medical evacuation cover as part of their health insurance policy. At William Russell, all our international health insurance policies include emergency medical evacuation as standard. If you experience a life-threatening or critical condition that requires urgent inpatient care unavailable locally, we will arrange for your evacuation to the nearest high-quality medical facility.
We also cover the cost of your hospital stay, treatment expenses, transport for a companion, and accommodation for your guest for up to 15 nights if they need to stay with you during recovery.
Many expats prefer cashless access to outpatient treatment rather than paying upfront and applying for reimbursement later. Whether it’s a doctor’s visit, physiotherapy, or specialist consultation, having direct billing simplifies the process – allowing you to present your insurance card and have the insurer pay the provider directly.
At William Russell, we offer cashless access to outpatient treatment. Some providers may refer to this as ‘direct billing’ or ‘flash-the-card’, but the benefit remains the same: easy access to outpatient care with no upfront costs.
It’s available on all plans, except Bronze (see below for information about our plans).
At William Russell, we’ve been providing private international health insurance to expats in the Philippines and across the world for over 30 years. Here are the main features of our policies.
Select the doctor/hospital of your choice in the Philippines and other countries within your coverage zone.
Cover for doctor visits, tests, and physio on the SilverLite, Silver, and Gold plans. On Bronze, you have cover for post-hospital outpatient treatment only.
We’ll arrange your evacuation if the urgent hospital treatment for a life or limb-threatening condition isn’t available locally.
Cover for when you’re admitted to hospital (including doctor fees, surgery, nursing care, theatre charges, and diagnostic tests).
Full cover for cancer treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and genome testing of cancer cells.
When you become a member, you’ll have a dedicated contact to help you with your policy.
If you have an emergency that requires immediate assistance, call our 24-hour helpline.
Get near real-time security alerts for natural disasters and public safety incidents near your current location.
Annual benefit limit
Some of the benefits have waiting periods. For full information, visit our comparison page.
Our health insurance plans cover you not just in the Philippines but in other countries too. When applying for your policy, you will have the option to choose your coverage zone. This decides where you’ll have full cover, limited cover, or no cover outside the Philippines. There are three cover options to pick from, so you can find the right fit for you.
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 7
Find out more about our coverage zones.
Though we hope you will choose William Russell, we cannot advise you on which health plan to purchase. We can provide you with information about the plans and common insurance strategies adopted by our members over the years, together with example premiums for those strategies. This might give you a useful starting point on your insurance journey. If you need professional advice, you’ll need to contact an insurance broker.
Some members only want insurance cover for serious medical conditions such as cancer, strokes, and heart disease, or if they’re hospitalised following a road traffic accident or similar. Generally speaking, these members aren’t particularly bothered about paying from their own pocket for the occasional doctor visit or health check-up. Rather, they’re mainly concerned with insuring the things they couldn’t afford.
These members typically purchase a Bronze plan, which gives them cover for inpatient treatment only. They’ll often pair their Bronze plan with a higher excess. This keeps their premiums reasonable, without significantly compromising their cover should the worst happen and they suffer a serious medical condition.
Here are some example premiums for members adopting an insure what you cannot afford strategy.
Some members want insurance cover because they don’t want to pay a penny for their medical treatment. Rather, they want their insurance provider to cover everything. This is a legitimate approach, and we have options to help members follow such a comprehensive cover strategy.
These members typically purchase a Silver or Gold plan, which gives them cover for inpatient and outpatient treatment plus cover for annual check-ups. If members are on a tighter budget, they might choose the SilverLite plan, which dispenses with some of the bells and whistles that members can expect from a Silver or Gold plan.
They typically pair their plan with a nil excess or low excess.
It’s worth noting that comprehensive cover translates into higher premiums. To give you an idea, here are some pricing examples for a comprehensive cover strategy.
The Gold plan is the only plan with benefits for childbirth and routine maternity care. If you want to give birth in a high-quality private hospital in the Philippines, the mother will need to be covered under the Gold plan.
Though it’s our most expensive plan, there’s good news – partners and children included in the policy can select a different, cheaper plan.
Here are some example premiums for a member on the Gold plan pursuing a family strategy.
If you’re travelling around the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, keeping your costs low is likely a top priority.
A good place to start is our Bronze and SilverLite plans, which are the cheapest we offer. The Bronze plan gives you cover for inpatient treatment only, which you’d need if you were diagnosed something serious like cancer or if you were involved in a big road traffic accident. The SilverLite plan adds basic cover for outpatient treatment such as physiotherapy and doctor visits.
You can pair your plan with a higher excess and/or cheaper coverage zone, which will further reduce your premiums.
Here are some example premiums for members pursuing a digital nomad strategy.
It’s a fact of life that health insurance premiums get more expensive as we get older. Even if you are fit and in good health, our data tells us that seniors and retirees require more healthcare on average.
When standard premiums are high, most of our members look for ways to reduce their premium. Often this means prioritising cover for serious medical conditions such as cancer and strokes, while compromising on cover for outpatient benefits like doctor visits and reducing the geographical scope of their policy.
Our senior members typically purchase a Bronze plan, which gives them cover for inpatient treatment only. They’ll often pair their Bronze plan with a higher excess and a restrictive coverage zone. This keeps their premiums reasonable, without significantly compromising their cover should the worst happen and they suffer a serious medical condition.
Here are some example premiums for members pursuing a senior strategy.
These premium examples are indicative, and are subject to your personal circumstances and your application. You can add family members to your policy.
While you don’t need health insurance to secure a visa to live in the Philippines, it’s a good idea to have a policy in place before you arrive. This ensures you have immediate access to high-quality healthcare from day one. Getting international health insurance with William Russell is simple. You can set up your policy today in just four easy steps:
We offer four health plans, each with different levels of cover and different prices. Compare them to find the plan that’s right for you.
We’ll ask you a few details (your age, your location), and then we’ll show you prices. It only takes a few minutes. A couple of days after your quote, someone from our team will email or call you to find out how we can help you further! They won’t bug you, and you can opt out at any time.
Once you’ve found your right plan, simply complete our digital application form. We’ll ask you a few questions about your health, occupation, and lifestyle. You’ll also need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions.
Once we’ve reviewed your application, we’ll decide the terms on which we can offer you a policy. We’ll send you a formal acceptance invitation, which doubles as a premium invoice. If you accept the terms we’re offering, all you need to do is pay your premium. Your policy and cover begin as soon as we receive your premium, at which point we’ll send you your policy documents.
We want to provide you with an insurance policy you can rely on, so it is important that you fully understand the scope of the cover we provide. You can find answers to the most common questions about international health insurance in Indonesia below, but feel free to get in touch and speak to a member of our award-winning team. We’d be glad to help.
Yes. You have cover in all cities, towns, and islands in the Philippines. You also have full cover at all hospitals and clinics in the Philippines.
No. We can only provide health insurance to expats. If you have dependents who are Filipino citizens, however, you can include them on your policy.
Yes. Most of our members reside permanently in a foreign country. But we do provide policies to digital nomads and backpackers who expect to spend at least 6 months of the year travelling outside their home country.
If you only intend to stay in the Philippines for a short period as part of a longer journey through the region, you might be interested in our Zone 7 option. This gives you full cover for medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation in most South East Asian countries, and is extremely cost effective.
You must be under age 76 when your policy starts, but once your policy starts you can renew it for as long as you need it—even if your health deteriorates.
We do not typically cover pre-existing medical conditions and related conditions. But that doesn’t mean you cannot apply for a policy if you have pre-existing conditions.
When you apply for a policy, we ask you to complete a medical questionnaire. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we may exclude that condition from cover or we may cover the condition but increase your premium accordingly. If you suffered your pre-existing medical condition a long time ago, we may agree to cover it without a premium increase.
You can choose to pay your premium in US dollars, pounds sterling, or Euros. You can pay by credit or debit card, bank transfer, cheque, or direct debit (if you pay your premium in pounds sterling). Our payment frequency options are annual, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly. Paying your premiums annually is the cheapest option.
As soon as your policy starts, we’ll cover you for eligible medical treatment. Some benefits, however, have a waiting period. This means you cannot claim for medical treatment under these benefits until the waiting period (usually a number of months) has expired. It’s also important to note that your policy doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, which are medical conditions that existed before the start date of your policy.
It takes 2 minutes to get a price on our quick quote tool. You can apply there and then using our digital application form, which will take you between 10-20 minutes. Once you’ve submitted your application, it normally takes us about 2 working days to get your policy started.
No. There’s no requirement to have health insurance prior to your arrival in the Philippines. You can purchase your policy before you arrive, or once you’re settled in.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that if you require treatment at a private hospital, you may be asked for proof of insurance before you can receive treatment.
International health insurance gives you comprehensive cover for medical treatment when you’re living and working in a foreign country. Travel insurance is designed for short trips to one or more countries. With travel insurance, you’ll get cover for lost luggage, flight delays and cancellations, and legal costs, plus a few benefits for medical treatment.
William Russell was one of the first insurance providers to cover people living abroad, and we’ve earned a reputation for outstanding customer experience.
When you purchase a policy from William Russell, you can be sure there’ll always be money to pay your claims. The insurer behind our health insurance is a company in the Allianz group, one of the largest financial services companies in the world.
We have independently verified reviews from over 1,000 of our members, and we win prestigious awards for our outstanding customer service. When you purchase a policy, you’ll be assigned your own dedicated policy manager as your main point of contact at William Russell.
Unlike other providers, we don’t tell you where you have to go for medical treatment. You can choose any doctor at any hospital in your coverage zone. And if you don’t know where to go, we’ll help you find a suitable hospital for your treatment.
William Russell have always been very sympathetic and extremely helpful. I never had any issues with William Russell – Reimbursements/Letters of Guarantee were always prompt. It was an excellent service – no issues, no questions and no delays.
I felt really, really supported, being able to write an email and knowing the person I sent it to was the one who would read and reply to it. I feel appreciated for being a member for so many years. And now that I’ve retired, I’ve even been given a discount on my health insurance package, which I’m grateful for.
What comes across strongest is the humanitarian aspect of William Russell…. always looking for the best treatment options for its members and not being too concerned with the cost issues. Had I not been air evacuated to the Nairobi Hospital when I was, I very likely would not have been around today. Thank you William Russell.
I liked that I could speak to a human being at the end of the phone. I just prefer dealing with someone directly. For me, in particular, it was very important to deal with someone regulated by a regulator as recognised and reputable as the FCA (the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK).
What makes William Russell stand out from other providers is their great service, international coverage, and the ability to pick the plan that fit our lifestyle. When we first signed up we were dating and traveling the world, then married and pregnant, and now have two beautiful boys and we have been able to pick plans that best suit our needs.
If you’re not happy with your health insurance policy or the service we provide, and you haven’t yet made a claim, then we’ll refund the premium you’ve paid—no questions asked.
We put our members at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud of our award-winning customer service and our members rate it highly.
The insurer behind our policies is an insurance company in the Allianz group – one of the world’s largest financial services groups.
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