Southeast Asia for US travelers. The Philippines gets the most detail. Every tip links to its source.
Every fact links to its source. Last checked Oct 18, 2026. Anything we could not confirm from an official source is marked [unverified].
Foreign residents can join the Philippine national health insurance program in some cases. Below are the official rules from PhilHealth, with the gaps clearly marked.
Join the newsletter and get it free: a 5-page printable, step-by-step checklist covering visas (SRRV and 13(a)), budget, Social Security, healthcare and property rules, with links to every guide.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Informational only, not legal or financial advice.Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page (Kiwi.com flight search, Airalo eSIMs and SafetyWing Nomad Insurance) are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Government links are never affiliate links, and commissions don't change what we write.
Since July 1, 2017, PhilHealth has allowed two groups of foreign nationals to enroll:
| Group | Where to enroll | What you need | Published annual premium (2017) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign retirees registered with PRA (SRRV holders) and former Filipinos | PRA head office (Makati) or PRA satellite offices | PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) for Foreign Nationals; SRRV and permanent residency status under Sec. 9(d) of EO 1037 | PHP 15,000 [unverified] current |
| Other foreigners residing or working in the Philippines (e.g. 13(a) spouses, work visa holders) | Nearest PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) | PMRF for Foreign Nationals; valid ACR I-Card from the Bureau of Immigration | PHP 17,000 [unverified] current |
Premiums can be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Source: PhilHealth news release, Jun 7, 2017 and PhilHealth Circular 2017-0003.
We could not confirm a current foreign-national rate. The figures above come from 2017. PhilHealth's 2026 advisory sets direct contributors at 5% of monthly income (e.g. PHP 500/month at a PHP 10,000 income floor and PHP 5,000/month at the PHP 100,000 ceiling), but it does not restate the foreign-national rate. Source: PhilHealth Advisory PA2026-0042. Ask your LHIO or PRA for the current premium before paying.
Source: PhilHealth news release, Jun 7, 2017. Claim eligibility rules (e.g. minimum months of contributions before confinement) are in the circular; confirm current rules at an LHIO [unverified].
Sources: PhilHealth news release, Jun 7, 2017, PhilHealth Circular 2017-0003. Offices can ask for more; call ahead.
A foreign spouse with a 13(a) visa and ACR I-Card would fall under the "other foreigners with an ACR I-Card" route at an LHIO, per the 2017 rules. Whether a foreign spouse can instead be listed as a dependent of a Filipino member is something we could not confirm from a current PhilHealth source [unverified]. See our 13(a) spouse visa guide.
Because of case-rate limits and the excluded benefits, most retirees pair PhilHealth with private insurance. U.S. Medicare generally pays nothing in the Philippines; see Medicare coverage in the Philippines. To compare private options (international plans and local HMOs), see our best health insurance for expats in the Philippines guide.
Medicare generally won't pay for care in the Philippines. If you are under 64, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is one option you can buy online; it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, and retiree-age prices are quote-only. Get a SafetyWing Nomad Insurance quote → · Compare all options in our health insurance for expats guide.
Affiliate link: SafetyWing may pay us a commission at no extra cost to you.
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.
Subscribe and use our free Philippines First-Timer Checklist (printable version): eTravel, passport validity, eSIMs, cash, typhoon season and more.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.