HMO for Filipino VAs: 4 Ways to Get Covered and How to Ask Your Client
7 min read
Key Takeaways
- A steady client and good income don't automatically come with health coverage. Most VAs arrange and pay for it themselves.
- Four realistic routes: prepaid HMO, an individual plan, corporate HMO, or employment through an Employer of Record (EOR).
- HMO is never automatic, in any route. Confirm coverage, eligibility, dependents, waiting periods, and cost in writing.
- You can ask your client for support without sounding demanding. Copy-ready messages are below.
The gap nobody talks about
You have a steady client, the invoices get paid, and the income is good. Then you wake up with a fever, or a parent needs a check-up, and one question lands on you alone: who pays for this?
Most VA arrangements started as "you do the work, I pay the invoice." Healthcare never came up. That isn't a failure on your part or your client's. It's just how contractor relationships usually begin.
Why finding an HMO feels confusing
Could your client be part of the solution? Some are happy to help once there's a simple, compliant way to do it. See how Employer of Record employment in the Philippines works.
The four ways to get coverage
None is "best" for everyone. It depends on your budget, your family, and how open your client is to change. Every route here is a valid one.
1. Prepaid HMO
Paid upfront (often yearly) for defined healthcare services. Can be an accessible way to cover basic or specific needs. Benefits and limits depend on the product.
2. Individual HMO or health insurance plan
A plan you buy for yourself and possibly dependents. You keep it if you change clients. Expect underwriting, exclusions, limits, and a price that must fit your budget.
3. Corporate HMO
A group plan bought by a business or team. Useful when the group meets the provider's eligibility and minimum-enrolment rules, which contractors may not always satisfy. Ask the provider directly.
Side-by-side comparison
| Prepaid HMO | Individual plan | Corporate HMO | Employer of Record | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suits | VAs wanting basic or specific coverage and an easier start | VAs wanting personal control, or covering dependents | Small teams or businesses that can enrol as a group | VAs with a long-term client open to formal employment |
| Advantages | Often simpler to join; can fit tighter budgets | Yours, and portable between clients | Employer-supported; group setups can be more accessible | Local contract, payroll and statutory compliance handled, agreed benefits funded by the client |
| Limitations | Benefits and limits vary; may not be comprehensive | Underwriting, exclusions, limits, cost | Provider eligibility and minimum-enrolment rules | Needs client buy-in; your pay structure and status change |
| Who pays | You | You | The business, or shared | The client, per the agreement |
| Check first | What's covered, limits, network, waiting periods | Pre-existing condition rules, exclusions, renewal pricing | Minimum headcount (ask the provider), whether non-employees qualify | Is HMO included? Eligibility, dependents, waiting periods, take-home pay |
Swipe sideways on mobile. Prices, headcounts and coverage amounts are left out on purpose, since they differ by provider and change.
Questions to ask before paying for any plan
- Prepaid product or comprehensive plan?
- What are the annual and per-illness limits?
- How are pre-existing conditions treated, and are there waiting periods?
- Which hospitals and clinics are in the network near me?
- Can dependents be added, and what are the age limits?
- Will the price change at renewal?
- Can I get the sample contract and exclusions in writing?
- Is the provider authorised to operate? Verify with the regulator.
PhilHealth is separate from HMO
Employer of Record, explained
An EOR legally employs you on your client's behalf, so the client doesn't need a local entity. You move from invoicing to a local employment contract. Payroll and government contributions are handled by the EOR, and your client keeps directing your work.
For you: a contract and payslips that can help with loans, rentals and visas, statutory benefits through payroll, and a clear place to discuss HMO.
For your client: compliant local employment without a Philippine entity. Zero-Ten Park's page lists a management fee of US$230 per employee per month as of this review, on top of salary and employer statutory contributions. Confirm current rates before quoting.
Two honest notes. First, HMO is not automatic with employment. Zero-Ten Park's published scope covers onboarding, payroll, tax filing, statutory benefits and HR support, so HMO has to be specifically agreed. Second, EOR isn't for everyone. It suits long-term pairs where the client is open to employing, not short-term gigs or VAs who value contractor independence. Whether a contractor setup fits the actual working relationship is a question for DOLE guidance or a labor lawyer.
More detail: the EOR wiki, or the EOR + Workspace bundle if your client also wants a place for the team to work.
How to ask your client
Asking feels risky because you don't want to seem ungrateful. Four small choices make it easier for both of you.
Around a renewal, review, or good milestone, not mid-deadline.
A covered VA can mean steadier availability, less turnover, and a clearer, more professional arrangement.
Bring two or three paths: an allowance, a group plan, or EOR employment.
Share what you pay now and stay open to a split or phased approach.
FAQ
Can a freelance VA in the Philippines get an HMO?
Often yes, through prepaid products or individual plans, subject to each provider's eligibility, underwriting, and exclusions. Check the provider's own product page.
Is a prepaid HMO the same as health insurance?
Not necessarily. Prepaid products usually cover a defined set of services, while comprehensive plans can offer broader benefits. Ask the provider how the product is classified and what it excludes.
Does my client have to give me HMO?
That depends on your arrangement and applicable law, so it's a question for DOLE guidance or a labor lawyer. Many contractor setups don't include HMO, which is why it helps to raise it politely and offer options.
Could EOR work for you and your client?
If your client is open to formal employment, a free 15-minute consultation with Zero-Ten Park can help you both see whether it's a fit. If it isn't, you'll still leave with a clearer picture.
Keep reading
Sources
Reviewed October 14, 2026. Rates and rules change, so verify with the official sources.
- Zero-Ten Park, Employer of Record service page (last modified September 2, 2026): EOR model, scope, and listed management fee.
- Zero-Ten Park, EOR wiki: definitions and background.
- PhilHealth, Circular No. 2026-0010 (self-earning individuals as self-paying members) and the official website for current contributions.
- Department of Labor and Employment, official website.
- Insurance Commission, official website, and each provider's own product pages for features, exclusions, and enrolment requirements.
General educational information only. Not medical, insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation of any HMO provider or product.
