The healthcare costs of employers in the Philippines are seen to increase by 14% in 2026, slightly lower than the 15% this year. According to the report, this is due to a slowdown in medical inflation after two years of sharp increases in Asia....
The Philippines joins countries such as China, India, Singapore and Vietnam with slower growth in medical plan spending next year. In Asia-Pacific, the average increase is expected to reach 11.3%, higher than the global average of 9.8%.
In the data, the Philippines' general inflation is at 3.0% this year and 2.9% in 2026, while the medical trend will decrease from 15% (₱15,000 per ₱100,000) to 14% (₱14,000 per ₱100,000). The net trend rate will also decrease from 12% to 11.1%, due to wellness programs and cost-sharing such as co-pays.
The biggest cause of medical claims in the country is hypertension or high blood pressure, which is the root cause of heart disease and cardiovascular problems. It is also the leading cause of healthcare costs in other Asian countries.
According to experts, employers need to shift from reactive cost control to proactive health strategy. Investing in preventive healthcare and wellness programs is seen as the key to protecting the health of workers and slowing the rise in healthcare costs.
