Too often, families see their hard-earned savings wiped out by steep hospital bills when a loved one falls ill—sometimes even resorting to borrowing from relatives just to cover expenses. Meanwhile, healthcare costs have also surged dramatically, with inflation averaging at least 10 percent year-on-year for the past three years. 

Even after the pandemic, Filipinos continue to face serious health risks beyond Covid-19, aggravated by environmental and climate challenges. In 2024, the country experienced record-breaking climate events, including the highest heat index ever recorded, four consecutive typhoons in just a few weeks, and surpassing the critical climate change threshold outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

These escalating risks, coupled with rising medical costs, underscore the urgent need for stronger health protection and coverage.

Insurance industry

“In reality, Filipinos are one of the most underinsured people in the world. That’s because of a lot of factors. It is our mission—and even for me personally—because I have come to truly believe in the essential role this product [health insurance] plays,” tells AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar.

With less than two percent of Filipinos insured, the country’s insurance sector is poised for growth, driven by a rising middle class and increasing disposable income. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the number of newly insured Filipinos surged, peaking at about 27 million in 2022, according to Statista. 

The data platform also noted continued growth in 2023. As reported by Statista, “The insurance market generated premiums amounting to approximately P390 billion in 2023, indicating a 72 percent growth from its 2016 value. However, low awareness and affordability of insurance plans remain key challenges for the sector.”

As health concerns continue to rise, having a comprehensive insurance plan provides peace of mind, ensuring financial security during unexpected diagnoses or long recovery periods.

Introducing AXA Health Max Elite

Addressing this need, AXA Philippines—led by its executives including CMO Nandy Villar, Chief Proposition and Product Officer Abel Vergara, and Product Category Head Tony Castillo—launched AXA Health Max Elite on February 4, 2025 at Helm by Josh Boutwood in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati. Guests were treated to a curated dining experience by Chef Josh Boutwood, highlighting the best of Filipino flavors—just as AXA Philippines delivers top-tier protection when it matters most. 

The latest offering provides extensive coverage for over 150 critical illnesses, setting a new industry benchmark for health protection. Designed for long-term security, it features multi-claim benefits, enhanced diagnosis support, and first-in-market features that ensure financial stability through life’s toughest moments. 

AXA Health Max Elite provides coverage of up to nine times, offering the most extensive multi-claim benefit in the market, allowing claims of up to 400 percent of the sum insured. It also includes pre-early stage protection, covering 10 percent of the sum insured for early-stage diagnoses such as benign tumors and suspected malignancies. 

The plan further offers enhanced diagnosis benefits, providing 100 percent of the sum insured for major conditions and 20 percent for minor ones. Ongoing recovery support allows multiple claims for major conditions—up to four times—and two minor condition claims to ensure continued financial assistance. Extensive coverage limits provide up to P10 million in protection, even for unlisted conditions.

As an industry first, AXA Health Max Elite also covers serious mental health conditions, including depression, mild schizophrenia, and mild bipolar disorder—marking a significant step toward inclusive healthcare protection.

More than just insurance, AXA Health Max Elite is a commitment to better health protection. With its extended support, comprehensive benefits, and industry-first features, it empowers Filipinos to focus on recovery—not financial worries—raising the bar in critical illness insurance.