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Finding low-cost care: Philippines.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · India.

Moraph for Good · Reach

Finding low-cost care: Philippines

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care

This sheet lists the kinds of low-cost care that exist, how to ask about price, and the official places to look where you live. It is general information, not medical advice.

Where to look

  • Community health centers and free clinics.
  • Clinics with sliding-scale or reduced fees.
  • Pharmacists and free health advice lines.
  • Public programs for people on low incomes.

Ask on the phone

  • Are you seeing new patients?
  • What does a visit cost, and is there a reduced fee?
  • What should I bring?
  • Can I have an interpreter?

Bring with you

  • Any ID or health card you have.
  • Proof of income, if they use a sliding scale.
  • A list of the medicines you take.

If it can’t wait

  • If it might be an emergency, call the emergency number first.
  • If you’re not sure where to go, call the free advice line below.

In the Philippines

  • Ward care with no co-payment. Under the Universal Health Care Act, no co-payment may be charged for services in basic or ward accommodation. Government hospitals must keep at least 90% of their beds as basic or ward beds, specialty hospitals at least 70% and private hospitals at least 10%.
  • No ID needed. Every Filipino citizen is automatically included in the National Health Insurance Program, and you don’t need a PhilHealth ID card to use a health service.
  • Malasakit Centers. Every Department of Health hospital and the Philippine General Hospital must have a Malasakit Center: a one-stop shop where the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and PhilHealth take requests for medical and financial assistance from indigent and financially incapacitated patients. Patients at other public hospitals and private facilities may still get assistance, after assessment by a medical social worker.
  • Primary care and free medicines. PhilHealth members and their dependants can register with a YAKAP clinic of their choice through the PhilHealth Member Portal or a PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office. After a consultation, the PhilHealth GAMOT program gives free outpatient medicines from a set list at accredited pharmacies, up to a yearly limit.
  • Ask PhilHealth. PhilHealth’s hotline, (02) 8662-2588, is open 24/7, including weekends and holidays, for questions about membership and benefits.

Official places to check:

  • PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation): www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/RA11223_UHC.pdf
  • Senate of the Philippines: ldr.senate.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2021-08/RA%2011463%20IRR.pdf
  • PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation): www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/2020/joint_sign.php
  • PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation): www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/up/article/2026/news_6a193dac651d8.php
  • PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation): www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us

More free official help in the Philippines: moraph.org/commons/help/health-access/ph

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/finding-low-cost-care