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Philippines: What to Do in a Medical Emergency (PhilCare)

Medical emergency in the Philippines: go to the nearest ER or call 911, then call PhilCare's 24/7 HMO health insurance hotline (02) 8462-1800 within 24 hours.

Written by Gilbert Orencia

In a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911. Then call the PhilCare 24/7 hotline on (02) 8462-1800 within 24 hours. Your HMO number is the Card Number under Profile > Health Insurance in the Outstaffer AI platform.

On SafetyWing Remote Health? Read "What to Do in a Medical Emergency (SafetyWing Remote Health)".

Important: Tell PhilCare within 24 hours, or PhilCare does not cover the care.

At a PhilCare-affiliated hospital

  1. Go to the emergency room. Show your PhilCare card or HeyPhil DigiCard.

  2. Call PhilCare on (02) 8462-1800, or ask someone to call, within 24 hours after the emergency started.

  3. If admitted, go to the Admitting Section. There is no admission deposit.

  4. Before you leave, give your PhilHealth documents to the Billing Section and pay for anything not covered.

At a hospital not affiliated with PhilCare

  1. Get emergency care first.

  2. Call PhilCare on (02) 8462-1800, or ask someone to call, within 24 hours after the emergency started. Ask if you can move to an affiliated hospital.

  3. If you are admitted, PhilCare must be told within 24 hours of admission. If you cannot communicate, even through someone else, the 24 hours starts when you are able to.

  4. If your doctor says you can safely move and you refuse, PhilCare does not pay after the day the move was recommended.

  5. Before you leave, give your PhilHealth documents to the hospital. Pay the bill, and keep the original receipts and a medical certificate or Attending Physician's Report.

  6. Claim within 60 days of treatment or of leaving hospital. Read "Philippines: How to Claim a Reimbursement From PhilCare".

Outside the Philippines or far from PhilCare

Follow the steps for a hospital not affiliated with PhilCare. From abroad, call PhilCare on +63 2 8462 1800. Outside the Philippines, PhilCare pays back reasonable costs, up to what it would pay at an affiliated hospital in the Philippines. With no PhilCare-affiliated hospital or clinic within 50 km of the emergency, PhilCare pays back 100% of covered, reasonable costs, up to the same amount.

PhilCare phone numbers

  • 24/7 hotline: (02) 8462-1800

  • Toll-free: 1-800-1-888-3230

  • Globe: (0917) 592 1800

  • Smart: (0998) 562 1800

Who to contact

  • Medical help and claims: PhilCare.

  • Card number or cover questions: your HR Manager.

This is general information for the plan year 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. For the full terms of your PhilCare cover, ask your HR Manager.

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