Starting at just P145 per year, Filipinos can now have their hospital bills covered for the top three critical illnesses with the introduction of Oona Philippines' new insurance product.
The Critical Illness Insurance was designed to provide affordable coverage for three major health threats: cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which have been significant causes of illness and death in the country.
The insurance firm said that individuals may access myoona.ph to purchase insurance, select the critical illness protection they want, and answer four questions about themselves. The insurance plan has a coverage of P100,000 up to P500,000.
The cash will also be paid fully upon diagnosis of covered critical illnesses to use for treatment, daily expenses, or any other needs.
Customers as young as 18 years until a maximum of 65 years old can apply for the insurance, with an extension until they reach 70 years old.
On the other hand, individuals may also avail of a stand-alone package for each illness starting from P51 per year.
"At Oona, we believe quality insurance should be a right for all. We are excited to introduce Oona Critical Illness insurance to Filipinos. With real-time policy issuance and 100 percent of the coverage amount paid in cash, customers can use the funds for hospital bills, daily expenses or any other needs. This financial support allows them to concentrate on what truly matters: their treatment and recovery", said Ramon L. Zandueta, president and chief executive officer of Oona Insurance, Philippines.
The launch of this health insurance came at a time when one out of three Filipinos died from non-communicable diseases as of 2023.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, heart diseases led the causes of death last year, with lung, breast, and colon cancers, and stroke also among the top causes of death.
A report from the Department of Health showed an increase in the incidence of these diseases among younger populations. It observed a troubling trend where cases of critical illnesses are no longer confined to older adults but are increasingly diagnosed in younger individuals.
The financial burden of these illnesses is also substantial, with the cost of treating lung cancer reaching up to P2.78 million, while a stroke can cost around P1.8 million.
“Studies show that many Filipinos are not financially prepared for sudden medical expenses, often resulting in significant financial hardship and the need to borrow money or sell assets to cover medical costs,” Oona said.
“Oona’s entry into the retail health segment marks our commitment to closing the protection gap in the Philippines, where only 1.75 percent of the population have insurance, leaving many at risk of financial hardship during critical illnesses. By making insurance affordable, easy to understand and simple to purchase, we are transforming how Filipinos view insurance—from an optional expense to a necessity,” said Abhishek Bhatia, Oona Insurance founder and group chief executive officer.
“Critical Illness insurance is the first of many health insurance products Oona is introducing to the Filipino market. Through digital innovation, our goal is to remove the complexities and high costs typically associated with traditional health insurance,” Bhatia added.