2022 Financial Protection from Health Spending in the Philippines

Protecting against the financial risk of high out-of-pocket health spending is one of the main goals of the Philippines’ health strategy.  In recent years, the progress of Philippine healthcare in providing financial protection to the population, as measured by estimates of health insurance coverage, out-of-pocket spending, catastrophic payments, and impoverishing health expenditures. 

In recent years, that out-of-pocket spending increased with the main driver of health spending being medicines, accounting for almost two-thirds of total health spending, and as much as three-quarters among the poor in recent studies. 

In light of these findings, recent policies to enhance financial risk protection-such as the expansion of government-subsidized health insurance for the masses.

Health insurance coverage increased across all quintiles and its distribution became more accessible. To speed progress toward financial protection goals, quick wins could include issuing health insurance cards to the poor to increase awareness of coverage and limiting out-of-pocket spending by clearly defining a clear copayment structure for non-poor members. 

There are funding levels that are adequate and sustainable; pooling that is sufficient to spread the financial risks of ill-health; and spending that is efficient and equitable to assure desired levels of health service coverage, quality, and financial protection for all people — with resilience and sustainability.