Health Insurance Coverage for Women: What You Need to Know

Learn how to ensure better healthcare outcomes for yourself as a woman by knowing how to make the most of your health insurance.

March 9, 2025
Health and Wellness, Reliable Cares, Reliable Resources

The modern, 21st-century Filipina is very much different from her counterparts at the turn of the 20th century. At the midpoint of this century’s second decade, the Filipina can be found as much in the boardrooms of major companies as they are in far more traditional roles. Filipino women can also be found in many traditionally male roles.

The increasingly diverse workplaces and responsibilities taken on by the Filipina also expands the ways in which her health gets challenged, many of which were once only faced by men: long hours in the office and the road (whether driving by herself or commuting), poor diets, and exposure to many of the same environmental and occupational dangers encountered by men.

At the same time, many women have assumed both the roles of breadwinner and caregiver for their families. More and more Filipinas are either earning the largest chunk of household income or can be the sole earner for their families. The stresses inherent in these roles, coupled with those from their professional life, can have a very negative impact on health.

More than any time in human history, the modern woman must be extra vigilant in ensuring she stays healthy in order to meet her own goals and those of her loved ones.

The Biggest Challenges to Filipina Health

Data from both the Philippine Statistics Authority and the World Health Organization point to the five illnesses below as key causes of mortality for the Filipina. These are health issues Filipino women should watch out for:

Ischaemic Heart Diseases: Caused by narrowed arteries that block the supply of oxygen and blood to the heart.
Lower Respiratory Diseases: Such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and occupational lung diseases (from exposure to pollution and harmful chemical substances associated with some work environments).
Stroke: Strokes, also known as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or brain attack, happen when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, possibly damaging brain tissue, which leads to long-term disability or death.
Diabetes mellitus: A group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar, or glucose, which is an important source of energy for your cells.
COVID-19: Despite the pandemic largely being over, COVID-19 remains a leading cause of mortality among Filipino women.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance as a Filipina

The roles your average Filipina now plays means they must make careful considerations on how to better take care of their health. For the Filipina looking towards insurance coverage to ensure better health outcomes and to handle any emergencies, here are some considerations:

Coverage for High-Risk Health Conditions: Once solely the consideration of men, more and more women are exposed to dangers from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This makes it imperative that women pick health insurance that covers things like hospital stays, diagnostic tests, and treatments for these conditions, which can easily cost plenty if not covered by insurance. A rider for critical illnesses can also give financial support in case of a diagnosis for such diseases.
Tailored Benefits for Women: Women have unique health challenges that need to be addressed, like those involving reproductive systems and even increased risks for certain cancers. Check to see if your insurance coverage has these built in or provide riders for extra premiums to ensure their inclusion.
Accident Insurance for Occupational Risks: More and more women enter fields and occupations traditionally men work in that are physically demanding or hazardous. Accident insurance covers medical expenses and other costs for injuries sustained at such work, especially for temporary or permanent disability due to workplace accidents.
Comprehensive Check-Up and Preventive Care: Early detection is key to managing diseases like heart conditions, diabetes, and even strokes. Insurance plans with regular health check-ups, diagnostic tests, and preventive care options can help you mitigate such risks.
Stress and Lifestyle-Related Health Support: As more and more women work long hours and are exposed to high-stress levels, getting insurance plans that include wellness programs, mental health support, or fitness initiatives can help you proactively address these challenges.
Flexible Plans for Active Lifestyles: Many women are also now into sports and exercise activities that are physically demanding. To help you deal with the risks of injury from these activities, look for plans that provide emergency coverage for such.
Family-Centric Insurance Options: Despite the expanded roles, many women still act as the leading caregiver to their families. Get additional peace of mind by choosing insurance plans that offer dependent coverage, protecting your loved ones from unforeseen health or accident-related events.

Making the Best Choices for Your Health and Safety

With the increased opportunities and expanded roles for today’s Filipina come new and additional risks to health. Having Reliable Insurance Brokers can help you mitigate many if not all of the healthcare, accident, and liability challenges that come with bigger professional responsibilities, more active lifestyles, and family concerns.

You should also regularly review the benefits provided by your employer to ensure they remain aligned with your needs, especially for women who have more occupational hazards with their work.

Health is truly wealth in these challenging times, especially for the modern Filipina. Taking these steps helps you safeguard your health and ensure peace of mind.