Healthcare in the Philippines for retirees
Healthcare in the Philippines for retirees centres on private hospitals in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, at a small fraction of US spending: $194 a person a year, against $13,473.
The hospitals retirees use, what insurance does and does not cover. Checked against official and hospital sources on Oct 7, 2026.
- Life expectancy
- 69.9 years US 78.9. World Bank, 2024
- Doctors
- 0.8 per 1,000 US 3.7. World Bank, 2021
- Health spending
- $194/person Per year; US $13,473. World Bank, 2023
- Paid out of pocket
- 44.4% Of all health spending; US 10.9%. World Bank, 2023
Hospitals retirees use in the Philippines
Makati
Makati Medical Center
- Joint Commission International accredited, shown on its website
- Opened on May 31, 1969
- 24/7 phone line +632 8888 8999
Makati Medical Center. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Pasig
The Medical City
- Joint Commission International Gold Seal of Approval
- 24/7 emergency care, (02) 8988-1000
- Further centres in Clark, Iloilo, South Luzon and Pangasinan
The Medical City. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Cebu City
Chong Hua Hospital
- Founded in 1909
- Two tertiary hospitals with over 1,000 beds
- ISO 9001:2015 certified
Chong Hua Hospital. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Davao City
Davao Doctors Hospital
- Opened in 1969
- 250 beds, tertiary and multi-specialty
Davao Doctors Hospital. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Paying for care in the Philippines
44.4% of health spending in the Philippines is paid directly by patients, about 4 times the US share, so plan how you will pay before you move.
Retirees use either an international health plan, which can also cover care at home and in other countries, or a local plan from an insurer in the Philippines, which costs less but covers care there only. Prices depend on age and on the insurer's terms for existing conditions; compare written quotes.
If you are on Medicare
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital.
Medicare.gov. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Healthcare questions
Does Medicare cover me in the Philippines?
Medicare usually does not pay for care outside the United States; the exceptions are narrow, such as a foreign hospital closer to your US home than the nearest US hospital. Plan on private insurance or paying directly for care in the Philippines.
Do I need health insurance for the SRRV Classic visa?
Health insurance is not among the documents the Philippine Retirement Authority lists for the SRRV; you file a medical certificate on PRA's form instead.
How much of the bill do people pay themselves?
In the Philippines, 44.4% of all health spending is paid out of pocket, against 10.9% in the US (World Bank, 2023).
Is there good hospital care outside Manila?
Cebu City has Chong Hua Hospital, founded in 1909, with two tertiary hospitals and over 1,000 beds; Davao City has Davao Doctors Hospital with 250 beds. The JCI-accredited hospitals listed here, Makati Medical Center and The Medical City, are in Metro Manila.
Do I need health insurance for the retirement visa?
No. It is not on PRA's list of SRRV documents; you need a medical certificate on the PRA form, valid for 6 months.
