The Philippine Insurance Commission (IC) is urging insurance companies and health maintenance organisations (HMOs) to consider offering more gender-responsive policies, coinciding with projected increases in healthcare costs across the country.
Through Advisory No. RS-2025-009, the IC called on providers to explore and expand insurance and HMO plans that accommodate health risks and needs specific to gender. These may include coverage for maternal and reproductive health, gender-specific critical illness, and related medical services.
Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado said the commission’s advisory aims to encourage financial products that align with the health and financial needs of different groups.
“The commission supports initiatives that promote inclusivity, empowerment, and financial resilience through the availability of specialised insurance and HMO products that address women’s health, financial security, and overall well-being,” he said. “These products provide comprehensive protection tailored to the diverse needs of individuals, ensuring that financial security and healthcare remain accessible for all.”
The IC also encouraged the insurance and HMO sectors to implement programs and initiatives that are gender-sensitive and to regularly analyse sex-disaggregated data. This data, the commission noted, can support efforts to design more effective and targeted insurance offerings.
The policy guidance coincides with rising healthcare expenses. A recent study by WTW forecasts an 18.3% increase in medical costs in the Philippines for 2025, one of the highest rates among Asia-Pacific countries.
The survey cited several drivers of this trend, including increased utilisation of health services, rising hospital and professional fees, and a growing burden of chronic diseases.
According to the IC, HMOs in the country recorded combined losses of PHP4.3 billion in 2023, a significant jump from PHP1.4 billion in 2022. These losses have triggered annual revisions in HMO premiums and contributed to ongoing disputes with physician groups over proposed fee increases, some ranging from 80% to 150%.
The WTW survey also identified key internal cost pressures, with 79% of respondents pointing to excessive diagnostic testing and overtreatment as contributing to inflation. On the external side, the rising cost of advanced technologies, a shortage of medical professionals, and growing reliance on private healthcare due to public system limitations were also highlighted.
Telehealth services, though broadening access, have introduced additional financial burdens to the system. These challenges underscore the complexity of the current health financing landscape.
