Quick comparison (checked Oct 18, 2026)

1. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

• Two plans. Essential is travel medical insurance: new, unexpected issues while traveling, hospital stays, surgery, medication, emergency evacuation, coverage for up to 364 days at a time and up to 30 days of medical coverage in your home country. Complete is "full health insurance" with routine and emergency care anywhere, wellness, mental health and cancer treatment, renewable indefinitely. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance page
• Essential limits: US$250,000 max for medical treatment and hospitalization; emergency dental up to US$1,000; no pre-existing conditions, maternity or cancer treatment. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance page
• SafetyWing says Essential is not a replacement for health insurance: it is designed for emergency accidents and illnesses while traveling, not preventive care or ongoing treatment of chronic conditions. SafetyWing FAQ
• Ages: Essential can be bought up to age 69. Complete must be bought before 64, after which you can keep renewing for life. SafetyWing FAQ
• Americans: US citizens can buy Essential (the US add-on is not available to them). Complete requires living outside the US at least 6 months a year. On Essential, home-country cover is up to 15 days per 90 days if your home country is the US. SafetyWing FAQ
• No deductible on either plan, per SafetyWing. Neither plan covers pre-existing conditions. SafetyWing FAQ
• Published price: SafetyWing shows US$62.72 per 4 weeks (Essential) and US$177.50/month (Complete) for ages 18–39 only. Retiree-age prices are higher and were not shown; get a quote [unverified] for your age. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance page

Who it suits: early retirees and remote workers under 64 (Complete), or anyone up to 69 needing emergency cover for a scouting trip (Essential). Not ideal if you have pre-existing conditions or are 64+ and want full health cover.

Get a SafetyWing quote

If you are under 64 and living outside the US most of the year, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Complete is one of the few plans you can buy online in minutes with no deductible. Check SafetyWing Nomad Insurance prices for your age →

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Over 64? See Cigna Global, IMG or Allianz below.

2. Cigna Global

• Cigna markets dedicated international health insurance for retirees, with access to medical support in over 200 markets and territories. Cigna Global
• Three tiers on Cigna Global Health Options: Silver annual maximum US$1,000,000 for inpatient/daypatient (no maternity); Gold US$2,000,000; Platinum inpatient paid in full. All tiers list a private room and full cancer care. Cigna Global: retirees
• From age 60, Health Options can help maintain existing outpatient treatment for certain pre-existing conditions: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, joint or back pain, osteoporosis/osteopenia (not on the Cigna Close Care plan). Cigna Global: retirees
• Optional modules include outpatient, wellbeing, vision and dental. Prices are quote-only [unverified].

Who it suits: retirees 60+ who want comprehensive, long-term worldwide cover, especially with one of the listed chronic conditions.

3. IMG, Allianz and other international plans

• IMG Global Medical Insurance: annually renewable international cover. IMG says US citizens are eligible if they reside outside the US, or intend in good faith to, for six months or more in a calendar year, and that the plan does not meet ACA "minimum essential coverage". Its page shows medical limits up to US$5,000,000 depending on plan. IMG international health insurance
• Allianz Care: long-term plans covering diagnosis, post-treatment care and health checks, with an option to include or exclude the USA. Under moratorium underwriting, pre-existing conditions become eligible only after a continuous 24-month period with no symptoms, treatment or advice. Monthly payment adds a 5% surcharge (0% annual). Contracts are generally one year, with a 30-day cooling-off period. Allianz Care international health insurance
• Prices for both are quote-only [unverified]. Upper entry ages for these plans were not confirmed [unverified].

Who it suits: Americans living in the Philippines most of the year who want cover that also works on trips home (check US-inclusive options).

4. PhilHealth

• Since July 1, 2017, PRA-registered foreign retirees can enroll through the PRA, and other foreigners with a valid ACR I-Card at a PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office. PhilHealth news release, Jun 7, 2017
• Members get inpatient and outpatient benefits at PhilHealth-accredited facilities. Excluded: Z Benefit packages, confinement abroad and maternity (WATGB). PhilHealth news release, Jun 7, 2017
• 2017 annual premium: PHP 15,000 (PRA retirees) / PHP 17,000 (other foreigners). Current rate [unverified]. See our PhilHealth for foreigners guide.

Who it suits: SRRV and 13(a) residents as a low-cost base layer. It pays fixed amounts per case, so pair it with private cover.

5. Local HMOs: Maxicare and Intellicare

• Maxicare (est. 1987) says it serves 1.8 million members, with 20,000+ affiliated doctors and 1,300+ hospitals and clinics. Maxicare
• MyMaxicare individual plans list annual Maximum Benefit Limits: Platinum Plus ₱250,000 (large private room), Platinum ₱200,000, Gold ₱150,000, Silver ₱100,000 (semi-private). MyMaxicare plans Prices, age limits and pre-existing condition rules for foreigners [unverified].
• Intellicare is another major Philippine HMO (Intellicare). We could not verify its individual plan benefits, prices or age limits from its site [unverified].

Who it suits: residents who want cheap, cashless outpatient visits and labs at Philippine hospitals. HMO caps are low for serious illness, and there is no cover outside the Philippines.

How to choose

1. Under 64, healthy: SafetyWing Complete or an international plan, plus PhilHealth if eligible.
2. 60+ or with chronic conditions: Cigna Global Health Options, IMG or Allianz. Compare pre-existing rules.
3. Tight budget: PhilHealth + a local HMO, accepting the benefit caps.
4. Keep or drop Medicare Part B? Medicare generally pays nothing in the Philippines, but dropping Part B has late penalties. See Medicare coverage in the Philippines.
5. The State Department warns some Philippine hospitals want payment upfront. State Dept Philippines advisory (Level 2, issued Sep 1, 2026)

Planning a scouting trip?

Most people who retire here visit first, often for a month or more. Compare flights from the US to the Philippines on Kiwi.com · see our Flights to Manila guide · stay connected with an Airalo Philippines eSIM (eSIM guide). Arriving? Read NAIA airport guide and eTravel registration.

FAQ

• What is the best health insurance for American expats in the Philippines?
  It depends on age and health. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance Complete suits under-64s abroad 6+ months a year; Cigna Global, IMG and Allianz offer long-term international plans for older retirees; PhilHealth and local HMOs like Maxicare are low-cost local options with caps.
• Does SafetyWing cover retirees over 65?
  SafetyWing Essential (travel medical) can be bought up to age 69. Complete must be bought before 64 but can then be renewed for life, per SafetyWing's FAQ.
• Can US citizens buy SafetyWing Nomad Insurance?
  Yes. Essential is open to US citizens (without the US add-on); Complete requires living outside the US at least 6 months a year.
• Does Cigna Global cover pre-existing conditions?
  Cigna says its Global Health Options plans can help maintain existing outpatient treatment for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, joint or back pain and osteoporosis/osteopenia from age 60. Other conditions depend on underwriting.
• Can foreigners join PhilHealth?
  Yes. PRA-registered retirees enroll through the PRA and other foreigners with an ACR I-Card at a PhilHealth LHIO, per PhilHealth (2017).