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In the Philippines, serious health problems can greatly affect individuals, families, and communities. Diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke are becoming more common and create big challenges for the healthcare system and the finances of many Filipinos. This guide explains critical illness in the Philippines, including the healthcare system, the importance of critical illness insurance, and how it is different from regular health insurance.
The Philippine healthcare system includes both public and private institutions. The public system, run by the Department of Health (DOH), offers services through local hospitals, health stations, and rural health centers. PhilHealth is the national health insurance program that helps cover basic medical costs for Filipinos to reduce personal expenses.
However, the public healthcare system often struggles with not enough funding, overcrowded facilities, and limited resources. These problems can cause long waits and make it hard to get specialized care, which is important for treating serious illnesses.
The private healthcare sector in the Philippines is advanced and offers high-quality services and modern medical technology. Private hospitals and clinics have better facilities and shorter wait times, but they are more expensive. This option is usually available to those who can afford good health insurance or pay out of pocket.
The term "36 critical illnesses" covers a range of serious health problems that can greatly affect your life. Among the 36 critical illnesses, the most common ones include cancer, heart attacks and strokes.
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the Philippines. Common types include breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer. Factors contributing to the high cancer rates include lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic predispositions.
As of 2020, there were approximately 27,163 new cancer cases in the Philippines, with breast cancer being the most common, followed by lung and liver cancers.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with an estimated 17,063 deaths in 2020. The incidence rate of cancer in the Philippines is 184 cases per 100,000 individuals, with 96 deaths related to cancer reported daily
Heart disease remains a significant health issue, with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure being prevalent. Risk factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and stress. It is the leading cause of death in the Philippines.
In 2020, around 58,000 men and 39,000 women died from ischemic heart disease in the Philippines, highlighting the significant gender disparity in heart attack fatalities. In 2023, ischemic heart disease accounted for approximately 19.1% of total deaths, with over 65,346 cases reported in the first half of the year.
Stroke is another critical illness affecting many Filipinos. It is often caused by hypertension, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyles. Early detection and treatment are crucial to improving outcomes. It is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines and the leading cause of disability. The prevalence of stroke in the Philippines is approximately 0.9%, with ischemic strokes making up 70% of cases and hemorrhagic strokes comprising the remaining 30%.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 87,402 stroke-related deaths in the Philippines in 2017, accounting for 14.12% of total deaths. The age-adjusted death rate for stroke is 134.74 per 100,000 of the population, ranking the Philippines 29th in the world for stroke mortality.
Critical Illness Insurance is a type of insurance which provides financial support through a lump sum payment when you are diagnosed with any serious illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. This helps cover medical costs and reduces financial stress, so you can concentrate on getting better instead of worrying about expenses. Key Features:
Lump Sum Payment: Upon diagnosis of a covered illness, the policyholder receives a lump sum payment.
Flexible Use: Unlike regular health insurance, which pays directly for medical bills, critical illness insurance gives you a lump sum of money that you can use however you want or use for whatever you need to recover..
Wide Coverage: Policies can cover a wide range of illnesses, ensuring comprehensive protection against various health risks.
Financial Protection: Covers the high cost of treatment and helps with household bills during recovery.
Peace of Mind: Eases financial stress so you can concentrate on getting better.
Flexibility: You can use the lump sum payment for anything you need, like medical bills, home changes, or travel for treatment.
Specific Illnesses: Most critical illness insurance policies cover a defined list of illnesses such as cancer, heart attack and stroke
Conditions for Payout: Usually, payouts are made if your illness matches the coverages outlined in the policy and it meets the required severity or stage.
Non-Critical Illnesses: Illnesses not listed in the policy or those that do not meet the severity criteria are not covered.
Pre-Existing Conditions: Pre-existing conditions, or illnesses you had before buying the policy, are usually not covered.
Certain Medical Conditions: Some conditions, like minor cancers, early-stage illnesses, and less serious diseases, might not be covered.
Lifestyle Diseases: Illnesses resulting from things like drug use, alcohol abuse, or risky behavior might not be included in the coverage.
Critical illness insurance gives financial support if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness.. Here’s how it typically works:
Choose a Policy: Select a critical illness insurance policy that suits your needs and budget. Policies vary in terms of the illnesses covered and the amount of the lump sum payment.
Pay Premiums: Regular premium payments keep your policy active. These premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the terms of your policy.
Diagnosis of Illness: If you are diagnosed with one of the covered critical illnesses, you will need to provide proof of the diagnosis to your insurance company. This usually involves submitting medical records and a statement from your doctor.
Claim Process: Submit a claim to your insurance provider along with the necessary documentation. The insurance company will review your claim and verify the diagnosis.
Receive Payment: After your claim is approved, you’ll receive a lump sum payment as stated in your policy. You can use this money for anything, like medical bills, daily expenses, or other needs while you recover.
Critical illness insurance and health insurance both help with medical costs, but they work in different ways and have different purposes.
Purpose: Health insurance covers various medical costs as they come up, while critical illness insurance gives financial help specifically for serious illnesses.
Payout: Health insurance pays for medical services directly, whereas critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment to the policyholder.
Flexibility: The funds from critical illness insurance can be used for any purpose, not just medical expenses, offering greater financial flexibility during recovery.
When picking a critical illness insurance policy, check which illnesses are covered and make sure it fits your health needs. Find a balance between affordable premiums and good coverage—higher premiums usually mean bigger payouts, which can help during serious illnesses. Consider your budget and future healthcare needs to make the best choice.
When setting the premium for critical illness insurance, several key factors are considered to tailor the policy to your risk and needs. Your age is a major factor—generally, younger people pay lower premiums because they are at lower risk of serious illnesses. Premiums increase with age due to higher risk.
Lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet can raise premiums because they increase the likelihood of critical illnesses. The amount of coverage you choose also affects the premium: more coverage means higher premiums since the insurer might have to pay more.
Your current health and medical history are crucial in determining the premium. Insurers often use a medical exam or health questionnaire to assess your risk level. However, with Oona Insurance, you can easily apply online by simply answering 4 health questions.
In the Philippines, where serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and stroke are common, having critical illness insurance is very important. These conditions are not only a big health risk but also come with high costs. Unlike regular health insurance, which might not cover all treatment costs or only covers part of them, critical illness insurance gives you a large lump sum that you can use however you need.
Given how unpredictable life can be, one can’t help but think if critical illness insurance is worth it. A serious illness can impact your health, finances, and quality of life. To decide if it’s valuable for you, consider your family’s medical history, your lifestyle risks, and how a critical illness might affect your finances.
Critical illnesses can be tough, but with good planning and resources, Filipinos can handle these challenges better. Knowing about healthcare, the benefits of critical illness insurance, and how to manage such situations can really help. It’s about ensuring financial stability, peace of mind, and focusing on what’s most important—your health and family.
Health insurance covers various medical costs as they come up, while critical illness insurance gives a lump sum payment for serious illnesses. This lump sum can be used for anything you need, offering more financial flexibility than health insurance.
Critical illness insurance gives you a lump sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a covered illness like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. You can use this money for anything you need, such as medical bills, daily expenses, or other costs during your recovery.
The most common critical illnesses in the Philippines are cancer, heart disease, and stroke. These illnesses significantly impact individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
Critical illness insurance helps cover high treatment costs and household expenses while you recover. It reduces financial stress, letting you focus on getting better, and gives you the flexibility to use the lump sum payment for whatever you need.
