How does the Philippine Healthcare System operate? 

• General:
  • In 2013 the Philippines passed the Universal Healthcare Bill, which promises health insurance for all Philippine nationals, especially the poor.
  • Phil Health is a Health Insurance coverage system that is part of the Department of Health. Their goal is to provide Health Insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available and accessible healthcare services for all citizens of the Philippines.
  • In some circumstances expats can avail of the Philhealth. However, in most cases expats are required to purchase private Health Insurance.
  • The quality of institutions can differ significantly and it is therefore advised to check which institutions are known for having high quality services.
• General practitioners:
  • Quality of care is best in Manila.
  • Most medical practitioners in the Philippines come from respectable Universities in the Philippines and studied in U.S. medical schools.
• Dentists:
  • In the Philippines you can find good quality dentists for a reasonable price. Make sure to check online which dental practices are known for their quality.
  • Quality dentists can be easily found in Manila, and equipment and techniques are up to par with international standards.
• Hospital or clinic:
  • When looking for a hospital and clinic try to find one that is JCI-accredited. This is an international accreditation that guarantees quality on an international level.
  • JCI accredited hospitals in Manila are: The Medical City (in Pasig), St. Luke's (in Quezon City & Taguig), Makati Medical Center (in Makati), Asian Hospital and Medical Center (in Muntinlupa) .
  • In the recent years there has been an increase in demand for health care and hospitals are having a hard time to keep up, leading to understaffed hospitals in some cases.
• Midwifery & Maternity care:
  • Best healthcare is found in the JCI accredited hospitals. It is advices to seek counsel there in regards to midwifery and maternity care.
• Consultation agencies.
  • Due to the variety of healthcare providers there are several consultation agencies that can provide you with more specific advice, you can easily find these online.

Does the Philippines set requirements to your (international) healthcare insurance in order to settle there?

• It is not required (yet) by law to have health insurance as an expat.
• In some circumstances expats can apply for Philhealth, the local health care system. However, many expats opt to purchase private health insurance with broader coverage.

Under what regional cover do the Philippines fall and are there other extra important points to consider when living and working?

• Type of coverage within the Philippines depends on the Insurance Company you are availing your health insurance from.
• Some areas that are considered dangerous, depending on current events at the time, might be excluded from coverage by your insurance company. Always make sure you are up-to-date with the coverage areas of your specific health insurance.

What should you pay attention to in regards to Health Insurance for a long stay in the Philippines?

• Check the Insurance pointers for long stay abroad and emigration to see:
  • Why specifically take out insurance when emigrating?
  • Is it smart to take out health insurance locally?
  • The Dutch Health Insurance expires.
  • Becoming unfit for work and insurances for surviving relatives.
  • Country of destination and goal of emigration country.
  • Desired (extra) coverage.
  • What insurance is suitable when you are going to emigrate?
  • What differences exist between the different insurances in regards to content?
  • How do you use the Emigration service?
  • Which Dutch and international emigration,- expat and health insurances are there?

What can you do to prepare? This is what I did

•  Visit Expat Insurances for more information, points of interest & explanations.
• Free advice about international health costs for you and family members by JoHo Insurances.

What should you pay attention to when taking out a home/household insurance in the Philippines

• Depending on where you live and what kind of home you have, you should consider finding an insurance that fits with your personal needs.
• Some housing arrangements include security measurements, like guards and gates. When these extra safety measurements are not available, the household insurance becomes more of a priority.
• The Philippines has local insurance companies that provide home insurances.
• Special expat/international insurance companies exist that offer home insurances for people living abroad.

What are the rules about personal liability within the Philippines?

• Purchasing a personal liability insurance is always a good idea and in some circumstances a necessity (for example, when buying a car).
• The Philippines has local insurance companies that provide personal liability insurance. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) offers this kind of insurance.
• Special expat/international insurance companies exist that offer personal liability insurances for people living abroad.

Is there a Social Security System in the Philippines and is it applicable to foreigners?

The Philippines has a Social Security System with several different types of social benefit programs. People pay a monthly fee for the Social Security System (SSS) and foreigners that are permanent residents can apply. 

The government of the Philippines provides the following benefit programs:

• Sickness benefit
  • The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.
• Maternity benefit
  • The maternity benefit is a daily cash allowance granted to a female member who was unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.
• Funeral benefit
  • It is a cash benefit given to whoever pays the burial expenses of the deceased member or pension.
• Disability benefit
  • The redesigned SSS Disability Benefit program adopts the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes and takes into account the medical management of illnesses and injuries and their corresponding impairment ratings.
• Retirement benefit
  • The retirement benefit is a cash benefit either in monthly pension or lump sum paid to a member who can no longer work due to old age.
• Death benefit
  • It is a cash benefit either in monthly pension or lump sum paid to the beneficiaries of a deceased member. The primary beneficiaries are the legitimate dependent spouse until the person remarries, and the member's dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and illegitimate children who are not yet 21 years old. In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the dependent parents shall be the secondary beneficiaries. In their absence, any other person designated by the member as beneficiary in the member's record.

How do you get Insurance for a rented or bought car in the Philippines?

• Compulsory third party liability (CTPL) insurance is mandatory for every car owner (not when hiring a car). This can be easily purchased at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
• CTPL costs a minimum of 560PHP annually and can cover up to PHP 100,000.
• Next to the CTPL insurance you might opt for extra insurance that covers theft or natural calamities. Extra insurance coverage costs around  PHP 12,000 to PHP 20,000 per year, depending on your car's type and value.
• Renting a car might prove to be difficult as most rental companies have set up a long list of regulations and requirements.

What should you pay attention to when driving around with a (rented) scooter or motorcycle in the Philippines?

• Renting a motor/scooter might prove to be difficult as most rental companies have set up a long list of regulations and requirements.
• Although popular in most South-East Asian countries, renting a scooter or motor is less popular in the Philippines and locating good rental companies can be difficult.
• Most insurance do not have coverage for personal liability in regards to vehicles and these have to be purchased separately. Make sure to verify this with your insurance company.
• Foreigners can drive in the Philippines for up to 90 days after their arrival provided that their license is in English.

How does Insurance for your (temporary) living space work in the Philippines?

• Depending on where you live and what kind of home you have, you should consider finding an Insurance that fits with your personal needs.
• Some housing arrangements include security measurements, like guards and gates. When these extra safety measurements are not in place, the household insurance becomes more of a priority.
• The Philippines has local insurance companies that provide household insurances.
• Special expat/international insurance companies exist that offer household insurances for people living abroad.