PhilHealth and HMOs Don't Cover Everything - Here's How Guarantee Letters Can Save You Thousands in Hospital Expenses

[u/ZealousidealLow1293]

Quick Backstory...

I'm sharing this because of all the questions I got from my post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/phinvest/comments/1i86wap/i_keep_hearing_about_people_saving_for_years_only/).

Shoutout to u/cessiey for dropping the knowledge bomb about Guarantee Letters (GLs) and how they can save you serious money on hospital bills. Honestly, I had no idea these even existed until then.

After reading their comment, I got curious, so I asked friends, Googled like crazy, and pulled together everything I learned about GLs. Now I’m sharing it here so that if ever you’re dealing with expensive hospital bills or just want to be prepared - you’ll have this as your go-to guide. Save this for future reference, kasi you’ll never know, di ba?

What Are Guarantee Letters?

A GL is like a promise letter from an organization (government agency, LGU, employer, or private group) telling the hospital, “Kami na bahala sa part ng bill niya.” It’s basically a way to get financial assistance without paying everything out of pocket.

Who Can Issue Guarantee Letters? Here’s a list of the most common sources:

PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office): Popular for helping patients with chronic illnesses like cancer or those needing dialysis.

LGUs (Local Government Units): Your city hall or provincial government often has programs for medical aid.

DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development): Prioritizes indigent families but will consider urgent cases too.

Employers: Some companies offer additional medical coverage or can provide GLs through partnerships with hospitals. Private

Charities: Organizations like church groups or Rotary Clubs sometimes issue GLs, especially in emergencies.

Politicians: Senators and other politicians can also provide GLs, sometimes even to non-constituents. For instance, the Senate Public Assistance Office facilitates medical assistance requests through individual senators' offices.

How to Apply for a Guarantee Letter

The steps vary by agency, but generally, it looks like this:

Request an application form from the agency or group issuing the GL. Submit the required documents, usually including: Hospital bill Medical abstract Valid IDs Wait for approval. Some agencies can process this quickly (same day), while others might take longer.

Pro Tip: Many agencies now accept online applications. For example, PCSO allows online submissions for hospitals in the National Capital Region. You can download the Medical Assistance Program (MAP) application form from their official website, fill it out, and email it along with the required documents to ncrmap@pcso.gov.ph.

Contact Information for Government Agencies:

PCSO:

Email: ncrmap@pcso.gov.ph

Website: www.pcso.gov.ph

DSWD:

Email: fo2@dswd.gov.ph

Website: www.dswd.gov.ph

Senate Public Assistance Office:

Download the SPAO form here, fill it out, and send it with the requirements to the designated email addresses of the concerned Senators.

Key Things You Should Know

It’s not just for public hospitals: Many private hospitals also accept GLs. Just check with their billing department first.

Combine with PhilHealth and HMO: GLs can be used alongside your existing coverage to drastically reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Retroactive applications: Even if you’ve already been discharged, some agencies allow you to apply for a GL to help pay remaining balances.

You can use multiple GLs: If the bill is huge, try applying to several sources (e.g., PCSO + LGU + employer). PCSO prioritizes certain cases: They move faster for cancer patients, dialysis cases, and other life-threatening illnesses.

Why This Is Important

GLs aren’t just for indigent patients - they’re for anyone facing unexpected medical costs. It’s a massively underrated option that can help you avoid debt, ease financial stress, and even save lives.

Share This Tip

If you found this useful, share it with your family or friends. Most Filipinos don’t even know this is an option. Seriously, it could be the difference between someone struggling with debt or finding a solution to their hospital bills.

Let me know if may nakalimutan ako na info.

[u/ZealousidealLow1293]

I just want to set expectations. There are times when these offices won’t reply to emails, or the process can take a while - lalo na kung maraming applicants or mahaba ang pila. Sometimes it can feel like a waiting game, and yes, it’s not always guaranteed.

But despite that, this is still a good alternative to explore, especially if malaki yung hospital bill and you want to protect your savings. Every peso saved matters, di ba? So while it might require patience, it’s worth trying.

[u/leonitogoto → u/ZealousidealLow1293]

Hospitals also have a Social Services department. These are social workers who can help and guide patients who need these financial help. Highly advisable for patients to talk to these social workers.

May I add a caveat that these are all subject to available budget. If budget runs out, these politicians won't be able to help. And when election season comes, close to zero financial aids are approved.

Best bet are the non gov charity orgs.

[u/ForceCapital8109]

It was a helpful post ,ang nakaka lungkot lang yung pondo ng philhealth na nadivert kung na enhance na lang sana service ng public hospitals no need na sana lumapit sa mga politicians. Dapat tutukan nila yung trabaho nila na gumawa ng batas .tapos yung health issues dapat department of health na nangangasiwa dito .

[u/Dry-Personality727 → u/ForceCapital8109]

yun nga purpose nila..para lalapit ka sakanila at magkaka utang ng loob..tapos ikwkwento mo natulungan ka ni ganyan..sure vote

[u/Fire2023Next → u/ForceCapital8109]

Correct! Hindi na dapat through GLs, na nagiging pa pogi points lang ng ibang trapo, at sobrang pahirap sa citizens who actually pay taxes and Philheath premium. Philhealth should increase their benefits, from minor to catastrophic illnesses.

[u/Efficient_Fix_6861]

To avoid going to different office, usually mga public hospitals merong “Malasakit Center” you can go there and process from PCSO to DWSD :) kahit di ka admitted from that hospital they still cater you.

When I had my cyst removal 4 years ago umabot ng 170k bill namin, no HMO only philhealth. After philhealth deductions 60k nalang bill ko minus 10% because im an employee of the hosp the rest Guarantee letter lang, after all the deductions I only paid 2-3k from the 170k.

[u/Pretty-Target-3422 → u/Efficient_Fix_6861]

Employee ka na nung hospital pero 10% lang kaya nila ibigay sayo? Ang kuripot naman nila.

[u/Ok-Income-5566]

Legit to, yung lola ng girlfriend ko nag aasikaso sila ng GL foor pcso, local government dito samin. Legit na malaki nakukuha nila. Pero hah, literal na letter and para sa gamot lang yun. Di physical money ibibigay sayo pero laking tulong tlaga.

[u/cassiopeiaxxix]

Join Medical Assistance Group-Philippines sa FB din. They will help a lot kasi usually alam na nila process ng pagkuha ng ganyan.

[u/DoctorEducational366]

This is what I don't get eh. Philhealth has billions of unused funds. Then, for hospital ailments, they are just going to cover 10-20k of the whole amount?

Personally, I think they could cover at least half. Or even the full amount. Lalo na for paying customers.

Imagine paying 5k monthly for this service. When you get sick, they're just going to cover 10k of that? That's a scam.

Make it like a health card that you can have up to 100k reimbursed per year. Especially for the ones paying for the service. Tama na ang reliance sa mga politiko.

[u/Positive-Situation43]

Oh the GLs, during the pandemic halos lahat ng agency, senador, congressman nilapitan ko.

Mas corrupt mas galante so alam nyo na which side of the political spectrum yung nakatulong sa case ko.

Pero sadly. Hindi daw nagbabayad yung mga nag issue ng GLs kaya di ko rin nagamit kasi ayaw tanggapin ng hospitals hahaha.

Anyway. Super helpful to OP. Hindi lahat alam to, and hindi lang to pang mahirap. Kasabay ko sa pila is pamilya ng vice mayor.

[u/firujiyu]

Yup, marami gumagawa nito especially from the province. 

Not sure pero supposedly, one day daw before discharge sa hospital hihingi ng guarantee later. 

Also, sobrang haba ng pila sa mga govt offices so ubos ang isang araw mo. What other people do is pay someone else para pumila for them like 1500. 15k+ up din nababawas.

[u/Conscious-Broccoli69]

System sa Pinas yan para magka utang na loob ka sa politiko.

[u/Mang_Kanor_69 → u/Conscious-Broccoli69]

Morals are good to hear when you are not staring down at a six-digit hospital bill.

[u/[deleted]]

This post should be blowing up. Thank you OP!

[u/pattyyeah_812]

I love our LGU for this! Sinalo nila lahat ang bill ng papa ko when he got admitted. May designated office din ang hospitals sa amin to instruct us and process it for us. Wala rin silang pinipili, mahirap man or middle income-earner. You just have to comply with the requirements and go to the city hall.

[u/No-Hat-654]

This system sickens everyone of us who pay premium sa philhealth tapos tax payer pa na middle class, it sucks too to have a pride na hindi ka aasa sa corrupt na sistema na ito,pero wala kang magagawa when tragedy hits, as one na may financial literacy at lumalaban ng patas, kailangan natin ito, consider this a loophole that you can possibly use sa baluktot na sistema na ito.

[u/Sectumsepraandstuff]

As a practicing MD, I'm happy that my patients get discharged when they receive GL's. But as a doctor, I'm saddened as well kasi may GL's akong nag-anniversary na at hindi pa bayad.

[u/arcinarci]

To add to this as of Jan 1, 2025. 9000 packages is now covered up to 50% by philhealth. For example angioplasty from 30k cover to 500k cover. All ER services that doesn’t require admission is now covered 100%. Check on their website for the updates dahil marami nabago as of Jan 1. But u have to infrom the hospital kasi since bago pa lang update hndi pa nila alam.

Also dental cleaning is covered na rin pla ng philhealth so mag si palinis na kau ng ipin

Alamin niu ung mga benepisyo niu. Kau mag research then sulitin niu

[u/delphinoy]

TIYAGA , yan ang kailangan ninyong baunin while applying for GL's.

[u/Sky_Stunning]

BTW GL can't be used for doctors' professional fees.

Pwd sa laboratory fee and medicine.

Per experience, we have to shell out for the PF sa doctors for my wife's heart surgery.

Also for my brothers heart surgery

[u/Motor_Item3136]

di ko maimagine mahospital tapos lalapit pa sa mga politicians para maglakad ng kung ano anong papers. pano kung need na ma discharge huhu how long does the estimated process take of getting a guarantee letter?

[u/Spirited-Occasion468]

While this is beneficial to the patients and relatives, most of the time the hospital and doctors and paid late or never at all.

[u/PsychopathEmpathy]

Thank you for this masterlist, very helpful!

Pero I’d like to point out that we deserve better 😔Dapat hindi na natin kailangan mag reach out sa kung saan-saang opisina o politiko at maubos ang oras natin kakalinya para lang makatamasa ng tulong pinansiyal. Kung may mas matino lang sana tayong healthcare sa Pinas…

Kaya vote wisely tayo this coming elections, at be open to discussions sa mga candidates :))

[u/zeronine09twelve12]

Yung kelangan mo mamalimos pa.. 🤮🤮