CEBU CITY, Philippines — State insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has significantly increased its maternity benefit packages, offering up to ₱62,000 for Cesarean deliveries as part of expanded coverage that took effect on April 30, 2026.
The adjustment, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced, nearly triples benefits for normal deliveries and broadens support for mothers before and after childbirth.
The move also aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs and improve access to maternal care.
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Higher delivery benefits
Under the updated case rates, coverage for normal spontaneous delivery (NSD) in hospitals rose from ₱9,750 to ₱29,000. In infirmaries and primary care facilities, NSD coverage increased from ₱12,675 to ₱14,000.
For Cesarean section procedures, benefits climbed from ₱37,050 to as much as ₱58,000. In more complex cases, such as Caesarean delivery following an attempted vaginal birth, the coverage can reach up to ₱62,000.
Other procedures related to maternal care also saw increases:
- Endometrial sampling (biopsy): from ₱21,450 to ₱31,500
- Dilation and curettage: from ₱21,450 to ₱36,500
The updated partly make up a broader expansion of PhilHealth’s maternity package.
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Expanded prenatal, postnatal care
Beyond delivery, the program now covers more comprehensive maternal care.
Prenatal consultations have doubled from four to eight visits, including laboratory tests and vaccinations.
After childbirth, mothers and newborns may undergo three follow-up checkups, also with PhilHealth coverage.
Marcos said the expanded benefits aim to address longstanding barriers to safe childbirth.
“My fellow Filipinos, we know how expensive childbirth can be,” he said in a video message. “When money falls short, we are forced to wait or cut back. This is where the danger begins.”
He added that many women still give birth without medical assistance due to financial constraints.
Reduced out-of-pocket costs
The President noted that in some cases, particularly for ward accommodations even in private hospitals, patients may no longer need to pay upon discharge.
“Sa maraming pagkakataon, kung sa ward manganganak kahit sa private hospital, maaaring wala nang babayaran paglabas,” Marcos said.
(In many cases, if a mother gives birth in a ward—even in a private hospital—there may be nothing to pay upon discharge.)
The expansion improves financial risk protection and reduces out-of-pocket spending for Filipino families.
Continuing adjustments
The latest increase marks the third adjustment to maternity-related benefits under the current administration.
In 2024, PhilHealth implemented a 30-percent across-the-board increase in benefit packages, its first since adopting the case rate system in 2013. A 50-percent hike followed in 2025 to further boost coverage and support value.
Prior to these adjustments, PhilHealth covered a normal delivery with only ₱5,000 while allotting ₱19,000 to Cesarean procedures.
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