When 36-year-old Emalyn Tamayo thinks about her monthly income as a staff at a small eatery in Manila, a big portion of what she sets aside isn’t for leisure, savings or even a big family goal. It’s for health.
“Sobrang hirap po lalo ‘pag wala kayong pera,” she says.
For Tamayo and millions like her, a hospital bill doesn’t only mean treatment. What’s more concerning is that it presents the possibility of debt, sacrifice and hard choices.
A new study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows what many Filipino families have lived with for years — that six out of every 10 families cannot afford a P10,000 hospital bill without borrowing money or relying on an HMO.
For millions earning below minimum wage, the reality is even grimmer.
Lance Katigbak, BCG’s principal and co-author of the study, says the finding is troubling precisely because P10,000 barely covers the basics in most hospitals.
“P10,000 is not a lot. Maybe it’s one night plus some doctor’s fees,” he explains.
When families cannot handle even that, the consequences ripple through their lives.
“The way we see it is that the quality of life is very fragile. I think there’s a common saying that most families are one healthcare emergency away from going back into poverty. If you think about that a little bit more, it’s not just people in the nuclear family, but it’s even your extended family.”
The study reveals why many households channel what little savings they have toward preparing for potential “health shocks,” making it a top priority over education, lifestyle improvements or personal aspirations.
The study also highlights how, for Filipino families, health is never an individual but a collective concern.
Katigbak says one of their respondents is a member of an extended family who recalled how their father fell ill and required extensive treatment. The family pooled more than P700,000 to cover his bills, inevitably resulting in setting aside travel plans and giving up personal ambitions.
“One health event can really set us back,” he said.
Katigbak says this practice is widespread and deeply woven into the Filipino psyche, that whenever one gets sick, everyone else carries the weight.
BCG’s data shows that Filipino families prioritize the well-being of their elderly and children above all. And should a member fall ill, the instinct is always to contribute and share whatever they can.
But this cultural strength often becomes a financial vulnerability.
The Department of Health (DOH) acknowledges the survey’s results, but emphasizes that Filipinos should remember they have a form of protection.
“Ang PhilHealth parang HMO kasi ‘yan. Marami ang hindi nakakaalam na meron pala silang HMO na bigay ng gobyerno,” says DOH and spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
He admits that benefits are still being improved under the president’s directive, but also says that PhilHealth is built on collective support.
“Oras na magkasakit tayo, meron pang 100 million plus other Filipinos na nag-aambag … para saluhin tayo ng ating health insurance.”
Domingo notes that zero-balance billing is available in DOH-run hospitals for patients in basic accommodations. The possibility of this being expanded to hospitals is also being studied.
Interestingly, the BCG report also finds that nearly nine out of every 10 families believe regular medical check-ups help save money in the long run.
Yet far fewer Filipinos actually seek health services actively. Most do so only occasionally or only when convenient.
For millions of Filipino families, the line between stability and poverty remains thin. And in a country where one illness can derail years of effort, the call to action has never been clearer — to craft better policies, strengthen healthcare systems, and uplift the quality of life of every Filipino family regardless of their circumstances or priorities. (ABS-CBN News)