On March 27, 2025, the Insurance Commission (IC) of the Philippines released Advisory No. RS-2025-009, encouraging the public to consider gender-specific insurance and health maintenance organization (HMO) products. According to the advisory, these products are intended to address gender-specific health risks and financial needs—particularly in areas such as maternal care, critical illness coverage, reproductive health services, and gender-specific medical treatments.
Commission’s Position on Gender-Specific Coverage
In the advisory, Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado expressed support for expanding access to specialized insurance and HMO products. “The Commission supports initiatives that promote inclusivity, empowerment, and financial resilience through the availability of specialized insurance and HMO products that address women’s health, financial security and overall well-being,” Regalado stated.
According to the IC, these types of coverage can help meet the diverse and evolving needs of individuals by offering protection tailored to specific life stages and medical concerns. The Commission emphasized that accessibility to these products contributes to broader efforts around financial security and inclusive healthcare.
Call to Action for Insurers and HMOs
In addition to its message for the public, the IC called on life and non-life insurers, as well as HMOs under its supervision, to take an active role in developing and offering gender-specific plans. The Commission encouraged the creation of:
- Insurance and HMO products tailored to gender-specific health and financial needs
- Programs and initiatives that are gender-sensitive in nature
- Strategic frameworks to support inclusivity across product development and service delivery
The IC stated that such efforts would align with broader goals around public welfare and long-term financial stability for both women and men.
Emphasis on Sex-Disaggregated Data
Advisory No. RS-2025-009 also highlighted the value of capturing and analyzing sex-disaggregated data. The IC noted that this type of data enables a more accurate understanding of the needs and behaviors of male and female policyholders over time, supporting better decision-making in insurance and HMO product design.
The Commission maintains that identifying trends by gender helps the industry tailor solutions that reflect real-life experiences and medical risks, ultimately enhancing policy relevance and effectiveness.
Accessing Gender-Specific Offerings
The advisory includes a list of currently approved gender-specific insurance and HMO products, along with summaries of their key features. Interested parties can access the document via the official Insurance Commission website at www.insurance.gov.ph.
Summary
Through Advisory No. RS-2025-009, the Insurance Commission of the Philippines has outlined its stance on the importance of gender-specific insurance and HMO products. The IC encourages both the public and regulated industries to explore and develop offerings that respond to distinct health risks and financial challenges across genders.
As this policy direction continues to take shape, the Commission affirms its commitment to supporting inclusive, data-informed approaches that promote equitable access to protection and care.