Philippines Approves Gender-Specific Insurance for Women's Health Risks

MANILA, Philippines — The Insurance Commission (IC) has approved a fresh batch of gender-specific insurance and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) offerings, widening coverage for women’s health risks such as breast cancer, reproductive care, and maternity benefits. In 2026, the regulator identified 18 life insurance products, two non-life insurance policies, and two HMO packages to address disparities in the needs of women and men, the regulator said in an advisory. Most target breast cancer, among the most common critical illnesses for women, alongside maternity and reproductive health. IC said following the issuance of a similar advisory in March 2025, which encouraged greater industry engagement, it received additional applications for product approval. “This reflects an increasing level of participation among our regulated entities in developing offerings aligned with gender-responsive objectives,” the regulator said. Among the approved products are AIA Philippines’ Breast Cancer Protect Lite and Manulife’s Female Cancer Insurance (Group) Rider, which provides cash support upon diagnosis of female-specific cancers. Sun Life’s Sun Maiden was approved as a five-year renewable term plan with female critical illness coverage, while Sun Maiden Plus offers the same structure but includes maternity benefits. For HMOs, Insular Health Care secured approval for “She’s Well,” a diagnostic package tailored for women, and “Maternity Care,” which includes comprehensive prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and newborn services. The IC also urged insurers to continue developing and enhancing products that incorporate gender-sensitive features, backed by sex-disaggregated data to ensure relevance, accuracy, and sustainability.