PhilHealth eyes 60M YAKAP beneficiaries by end-2027

MANILA — PhilHealth is targeting to expand the number of beneficiaries under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) to 60 million by the end of 2027, as it pushes for greater access to preventive healthcare. 

PhilHealth President and CEO Beverly Lorraine C. Ho said the program has reached around 22 million beneficiaries as of October 2026, with the number expected to increase to 27 million by the end of the year.

“So next year, our joint target … is by [the] end of 2027, we have 60 million people in the YAKAP Program. This year, we’re at around October, 22 million tracking to around 27 million by end of the year,” she said.

Ho said YAKAP aims to encourage Filipinos to seek medical attention early, emphasizing that they do not need to develop serious illnesses before using their PhilHealth benefits. 

The program covers basic consultations, outpatient medicines, and cancer screening.

“Yes, may package yung PhilHealth na cancer screening, na pang-cancer na sakit, pero hindi ibig sabihin no’n na gusto natin gamitin yon at lumala yung sakit niyo bago niyo magamit yung million peso na package natin,” she added.

Ho also highlighted the expansion of the program’s medicine coverage from 75 to 135 medicines beginning January 2027, including dermatological medications. Under the program, members can claim prescribed medicines from any PhilHealth-accredited pharmacy without paying out of pocket.

“So, the total number of medicines as of last year was total of 75 medicines. But, by January of this year, we will be expanding it to cover 135 medicines,” she said. “Ang basehan po namin sa pagdadagdag ng mga gamot dito is yung syempre mga most common na nagagamit in the outpatient setting.” 

Meanwhile, PhilHealth Spokesperson Alfred Philip De Dios said YAKAP seeks to change Filipinos’ “healthcare-seeking behavior” and address financial barriers that often prevent patients from consulting doctors early.

“Alam naman natin ang problem ng mga Pilipino kaya late na nagpapatingin yan, wala silang pantustos e, initially. So, the YAKAP Program hopefully will address that,” he said. 

To register, members must have a PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) and may choose an accredited clinic through the eGovPH app or visit a participating clinic directly.

Members may also transfer their YAKAP provider during the annual open season from October to December. PhilHealth said it is working on improvements to make provider transfers easier through the app.

For inquiries, members may contact the PhilHealth Corporate Action Center at (02) 8662-2588.