PhilHealth, private insurers build on YAKAP to maximize primary care coverage

by Info @Brand Zone | October 3, 2026

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and major health maintenance  organizations (HMOs) and private health insurers (PHIs) have joined hands to make primary  healthcare more affordable and accessible for Filipinos. 

PhilHealth, together with Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, MediCard Philippines, Inc.,  PhilhealthCare, Inc., Health Plan Philippines, Inc., United Coconut Planters Life Assurance  Corporation, Asalus Corporation (Intellicare), Medicare Plus, Inc., Avega Managed Care,  Inc., Cooperative Health Management Federation, Pacific Cross Health Care, Inc., Insular  Health Care, Inc. (iCare), The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), and InLife Benefits  Insurance Company, Inc. sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the  PhilHealth YAKAP – HMO/PHI Benefit Complementation initiative in support of the  Universal Health Care (UHC) law. 

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Under the MOU, PhilHealth will serve as the initial source of coverage for primary care  services through its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), while private insurers  complement this coverage by providing additional benefits. 

“With PhilHealth YAKAP as the first layer of protection, our private partners can focus  their benefits on what lies beyond the program package. That way, every Filipino gets more  care for every peso,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho. 

“Together, we can establish a system that builds a healthier, more productive Philippines– where quality healthcare empowers every Filipino to drive the nation forward,” PhilHealth  Board Member and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said. 

As the secondary payers, HMOs and PHIs can cover costs that exceed PhilHealth benefit  limits or fall outside primary care coverage, such as specialized procedures, branded  medications, or hospital room upgrades.

YAKAP covers consultations, 13 laboratory tests, selected outpatient medicines under the  GAMOT package, and outpatient services for six cancer screening tests. Under the  PhilHealth primary care program, specialized outpatient benefits such as animal bite  treatment, maternal care, Tuberculosis DOTS, HIV/AIDS management, and mental health  services are also included, as applicable. 

The direct integration of PhilHealth YAKAP with private insurance policies establishes a  more seamless healthcare system to prevent duplicate payment and effectively lower  patients’ out-of-pocket costs of shared beneficiaries. 

PhilHealth urges all members and policyholders to register for PhilHealth YAKAP via the  eGovPH app, PhilHealth Member Portal, or nearest PhilHealth office to instantly maximize  their primary care coverage alongside their private HMO benefits. Additionally, PhilHealth  invites other HMOs and private health insurers to join this complementation network to  expand financial protection and deliver seamless, affordable primary healthcare to every  Filipino family nationwide. 

For official announcements, program updates, and participating provider lists, members may  call PhilHealth 24/7 Corporate Action Center (02) 8662‑2588 or visit  www.philhealth.gov.ph, or follow PhilHealth's verified social media channels on Facebook  (@PhilHealthofficial) and X (@teamphilhealth).