The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and major health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and private health insurers (PHIs) have joined hands to make primary healthcare more affordable and accessible for Filipinos.
PhilHealth, together with Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, MediCard Philippines, Inc., PhilhealthCare, Inc., Health Plan Philippines, Inc., United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation, Asalus Corporation (Intellicare), Medicare Plus, Inc., Avega Managed Care, Inc., Cooperative Health Management Federation, Pacific Cross Health Care, Inc., Insular Health Care, Inc. (iCare), The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), and InLife Benefits Insurance Company, Inc. sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the PhilHealth YAKAP – HMO/PHI Benefit Complementation initiative in support of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.
Under the MOU, PhilHealth will serve as the initial source of coverage for primary care services through its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), while private insurers complement this coverage by providing additional benefits.
“With PhilHealth YAKAP as the first layer of protection, our private partners can focus their benefits on what lies beyond the program package. That way, every Filipino gets more care for every peso,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho.
“Together, we can establish a system that builds a healthier, more productive Philippines–where quality healthcare empowers every Filipino to drive the nation forward,” PhilHealth Board Member and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said.
As the secondary payers, HMOs and PHIs can cover costs that exceed PhilHealth benefit limits or fall outside primary care coverage, such as specialized procedures, branded medications, or hospital room upgrades.
YAKAP covers consultations, 13 laboratory tests, selected outpatient medicines under the GAMOT package, and outpatient services for six cancer screening tests. Under the PhilHealth primary care program, specialized outpatient benefits such as animal bite treatment, maternal care, Tuberculosis DOTS, HIV/AIDS management, and mental health services are also included, as applicable.
The direct integration of PhilHealth YAKAP with private insurance policies establishes a more seamless healthcare system to prevent duplicate payment and effectively lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs of shared beneficiaries.
PhilHealth urges all members and policyholders to register for PhilHealth YAKAP via the eGovPH app, PhilHealth Member Portal, or nearest PhilHealth office to instantly maximize their primary care coverage alongside their private HMO benefits. Additionally, PhilHealth invites other HMOs and private health insurers to join this complementation network to expand financial protection and deliver seamless, affordable primary healthcare to every Filipino family nationwide.
For official announcements, program updates, and participating provider lists, members may call PhilHealth 24/7 Corporate Action Center (02) 8662‑2588 or visit www.philhealth.gov.ph, or follow PhilHealth’s verified social media channels on Facebook (@PhilHealthofficial) and X (@teamphilhealth).
