How to choose
Start with the hospitals. An HMO card is only useful where it is accepted, so open the accredited hospital list on the HMO pages of Maxicare, Intellicare, MediCard, iCare, ValuCare, Kaiser and the others that publish one, and keep the ones that cover the hospital you use. Then match the plan type:
- Choose Maxicare, Intellicare, MediCard, iCare (or 4 more in the table) if you are buying for yourself or your family. Maxicare: “For Individual and Family” · Intellicare: “Custom-Fit Healthcare” · MediCard: “For Individuals” · iCare: “Individual Plan”
- Choose MediCard or Kaiser if you are buying for a senior. MediCard: “For Senior Citizens” · Kaiser: “Long Term Care”
- Choose Maxicare, MediCard, iCare, PhilCare (or 7 more in the table) if you want a prepaid card or emergency-only plan. Maxicare: “Prepaid Health Cards” · MediCard: “MediCard H.E.R.O. (Health Emergency Response On-demand)” · iCare: “Prepaid Plans” · PhilCare: “Emergency Plans”
- Choose Maxicare, Intellicare, MediCard or iCare if you run a small business. Maxicare: “For Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises” · Intellicare: “SME Fit Plan” · MediCard: “SME or Corporate Packages” · iCare: “SME Plan (5+ Employees)”
- Choose Maxicare, Intellicare, MediCard, iCare (or 12 more in the table) if you buy for a large company. Maxicare: “For Corporations” · Intellicare: “Corporate Plan” · MediCard: “Administrative Services Only” · iCare: “Corporate Plan (5-1000+ Employees)”
- Choose MediCard if you work abroad and want cover for family at home. MediCard: “For OFWs with Beneficiaries in the Philippines”
- Choose EastWest Healthcare, HMI, AsianCare, Metrocare (or 1 more in the table) if you want dental cover. EastWest Healthcare: “Dental health” · HMI: “Dental Services” · AsianCare: “Dental Care” · Metrocare: “Dental Care Services”
Last, compare the annual benefit limit, exclusions and pre-existing condition rules in each agreement, and how reimbursement works outside the network.
Next step
What an HMO is
Under EO 192, an HMO provides or arranges agreed health services for enrolled members, for a fixed prepaid fee over a set period. You or your employer pay the plan fee, and you show the card at an accredited hospital instead of paying the bill and claiming later. The Insurance Commission licenses HMOs (sec. 4(b), 5).
HMO or insurer: check the contract
These HMOs share a name with a licensed insurer. They are separate companies with separate licences, so the contract tells you which one you deal with: Maxicare (HMO) and Maxicare Life Insurance Corporation; Pacific Cross (HMO) and Pacific Cross Insurance, Inc.; iCare (HMO) and Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd., The; EastWest Healthcare (HMO) and East West Ageas Life Insurance Corporation.
HMO fees and tax
employees on pure compensation income cannot deduct HMO or health insurance premiums. Since TRAIN, Sec. 34 allows them no deductions, and the old ₱2,400 health premium deduction is gone. Self-employed people and businesses work under the business-expense rules instead. (NIRC Sec. 34 as amended by RA 10963, from Jan 1, 2018.) Example: an employee on salary only pays ₱15,000 a year for a family HMO plan. Deduction allowed on the income tax return: ₱0, so taxable income stays the same (Sec. 34 as amended by TRAIN). health insurance for the self-employed
Questions
What is an HMO?
A health maintenance organization provides or arranges agreed health services for enrolled members, for a fixed fee paid in advance for a set period (EO 192 sec. 2). Members show the HMO card at an accredited hospital or clinic instead of paying and claiming afterwards.
How many HMOs are licensed in the Philippines?
27, on the Insurance Commission list as of Aug 31, 2026.
Which HMO is the biggest in the Philippines?
By 2025 revenue in Insurance Commission statistics: Maxicare (₱29.2 billion), Intellicare (₱24.2 billion), MediCard (₱14.9 billion), iCare (₱10.9 billion), PhilCare (₱10.4 billion). The regulator publishes no member counts.
Which HMO is the best in the Philippines?
The regulator does not rank HMOs. Pick the one whose accredited hospitals are near your home or office and whose plan list fits you (rules above), then compare the annual limit and exclusions in each agreement.
Which company is Intellicare?
Intellicare is the brand of Asalus Corporation, licence no. HMO-2026-16-R.
Which company is iCare?
iCare is the brand of Insular Health Care, Inc., licence no. HMO-2026-17-R.
Which company is PhilCare?
PhilCare is the brand of PhilhealthCare, Inc., licence no. HMO-2026-14-R.
Which company is ValuCare?
ValuCare is the brand of Value Care Health Systems, Inc., licence no. HMO-2026-03-R.
Is an HMO the same as health insurance?
No. An HMO arranges agreed health services for a prepaid fee. A health insurer pays the benefits written in a policy and holds a different IC licence.
Is my HMO fee tax-deductible?
Not for an employee on salary only (NIRC Sec. 34 as amended by RA 10963, from Jan 1, 2018).