Discover our health insurance policies specifically designed for expats in the Philippines
Foyer Global Health covers expats’ health in the Philippines who are seeking for a private health insurance solution tailored to their needs.
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Living on an archipelago with an idyllic setting, azure waters and a welcoming and caring population, does it tempt you? We do, and the many expatriates who have made the choice to settle in the Philippines will not fail to convince you. Most of them have chosen to live in Manila, the capital brimming with energy and life, while the others venture into the wilder medium and small towns.
Through the 7600 islands of the archipelago, the care network is well present and reveals a very correct quality of care, in the Asian average. But the disparities between urban and rural areas convince people to seek treatment in Manila’s better-equipped and more efficient private institutions and hospitals.
Diseases, vaccines, food hygiene… protect your health in the Philippines
Should you take precautions when moving to the Philippines? Yes, simply because like many tropical destinations, some diseases are transmissible via water, food and animals.
It is essential to be up to date in your vaccination schedule and to carry out the recommended vaccines (hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera …) before your departure.
Once there, we advise you to drink bottled, filtered or boiling water. Avoid eating raw food and respect good hygiene and hand washing on a daily basis.
Philhealth in charge of health insurance in the Philippines
In the Philippines, access to care is rather easy, but being treated in hospitals with state-of-the-art medical facilities is not always possible. As in Thailand, medical tourism (especially dental tourism) is very present in Manila or Cebu. Hospitals, equipped with materials and machines from Germany or the United States, offer treatments at affordable prices. In case of serious and complex illnesses, some people still recommend going to other nearby cities such as Singapore where the infrastructure is more modern and reliable.
Public health insurance in the Philippines is administered by Philhealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), owned by the government and operating on the basis of contributions from the state, employees and employers. It covers the majority of the local population in the Philippines.
Are expats eligible for Philhealth?
The rule is simple, expatriates who are employed in the Philippine territory are required to be affiliated with Philhealth. The monthly contribution rate, currently set at 3.50% in 2021, is shared between the employee and the employer.
Expatriates who do not have an employment contract are eligible for Philhealth if they have residency status in the Philippines.
The expatriate’s family can benefit from the coverage by being declared by the expatriate.
What are the steps to be taken?
The employer will take care of the steps for you. If you are self-employed or self-employed, or work and reside in the Philippines, you will be able to register as a member of the informal economy by following the procedures indicated. The monthly price starts at PHP200 for members with an income less than or equal to PHP25000 (about 421€).
Members of the formal economy are employees of the private sector and the government.
> Good to know, English is one of the national languages of the country, so you will certainly have less difficulty to carry out your steps.
What does Philhealth cover?
Here is the list of care covered by Philhealth as well as the conditions and limits of reimbursement. The price of pharmaceuticals is not excessive; however, you will not be able to buy drugs only by prescription. Also check if the medications you bring are legal in the Philippines, as medication is highly regulated.
> We notice that most expatriates in the Philippines intend to stay in this country for the long term, and therefore why not start their families there. Be aware that maternity in the Philippines is covered by Philhealth, thanks to the MCP(Maternity Care Package) capped at PHP6500 if the pregnancy is followed in an approved hospital, and PHP8000 in a clinic or specialized maternity hospitals. Included in the package are follow-up visits, the prenatal period and the postpartum period. There is another package (Normal Spontaneous Delivery)that covers low-risk deliveries and the post-partum period, and capped at PHP5000 and PHP6500 according to the previous conditions. Finally, the new-born can be taken care of at birth by the NCP (Newborn Care Package),a reimbursement limit of PHP1500.
Choosing the right health insurance in the Philippines
Although the public health system in the Philippines is growing, it has some flaws and limitations (slow claims and reimbursement, inequalities) that do not allow for the comprehensive health coverage that an expatriate needs. Healthcare costs in the Philippines may also seem cheaper than what you pay in your home country, but in your overall budget these expenses can weigh heavily!
Foyer Global Health makes your life easier in the Philippines
Our first euro international health insurance is totally designed from the needs of expats in the Philippines. Repatriation and evacuation are included in our plans. You have the choice:
- The level of coverage and its scope (international with US included/excluded)
- Visit the doctor, clinic or hospital of your choice in the Philippines, elsewhere in the world or in your home country
- Between several levels of deductible, means and payment frequencies
- Each member of your family can choose the formula that best suits them
- To choose a maternity cover reimbursing up to 20000 €
In addition to these advantages, you benefit from services such as telemedicine that allows you to consult a doctor remotely and therefore save time and comfort. Multilingual medical assistance available 24/7 is at your disposal for all your requests for medical emergency. Finally, you will receive advice from our expatriate insurance experts who will guide you in the choice of health coverage.
Why do I need to take out private health insurance for foreigners in Philippines?
- Have private health insurance you access to all health facilities and hospitals
- To benefit from faster care and a better quality of care and service, especially if you live in a less well-served rural area.
- Have access to additional medical services and emergency medical assistance available at all times
Why is expatriate health insurance the best coverage option?
Unlike travel insurance, expatriate health insurance is intended to cover you in the long term and more comprehensively. You will be covered both in case of emergency and for routine visits. In addition, an expatriate health insurance at the first euro plays an all-in-one role: up to 100% of the actual costs reimbursed without complementary health or mutual!
If you are looking for international health insurance for expatriates and would like to receive a free quote, go to our online tool!