Gallstone Surgery Cost in the Philippines: Packages, PhilHealth and Free Options
Published laparoscopic gallstone surgery packages in the Philippines range from ₱54,000 to ₱119,990 after PhilHealth. Package inclusions differ: some cover the surgeon and anesthesiologist, while others exclude doctors’ fees or pre-operative tests. These are advertised prices, not a national average or a guaranteed final bill.
Many gallbladder operations today are done laparoscopically, including at PGH. You can check the PGH laparoscopic surgery cost for that approach.
For open gallbladder surgery, published costs start at ₱84,530 and ₱109,990, also net of PhilHealth. Patients admitted to basic or ward accommodation in DOH hospitals may have no remaining bill for covered inpatient care under Zero Balance Billing.
Laparoscopic gallstone surgery packages compared
Gallbladder removal is called cholecystectomy. The keyhole approach, performed through small incisions using a camera, is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or “lap chole.”
| Hospital or facility | Published package price | PhilHealth | Doctors’ fees | Pre-operative tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthway QualiMed Manila, UP–PGH Faculty Medical Arts Building | ₱54,000 | Already deducted | Surgeon and anesthesiologist included | Excluded |
| Healthway QualiMed Hospital Iloilo, without pre-operative diagnostics | From ₱74,300 | Already deducted | Excluded | Excluded |
| Healthway QualiMed Hospital Iloilo, with pre-operative diagnostics | From ₱79,000 | Already deducted | Excluded | Included |
| Diliman Doctors Hospital, Quezon City | From ₱119,020 | Already deducted | Included, with room and board | Confirm with hospital |
| Southwestern University Medical Center, Cebu City | ₱119,990 | Already deducted | Advertised as all-in; request the detailed breakdown | Confirm with hospital |
Prices and stated inclusions come from the providers’ own package pages.
What does the ₱54,000 Manila package exclude?
Healthway QualiMed Manila includes facility fees and the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s professional fees. Its exclusions are:
- Consultation, listed at ₱1,000–₱1,200.
- Diagnostic and laboratory tests.
- Medical clearance.
- Additional medicines and supplies outside the package.
A surgeon must assess whether you qualify. Ask separately about accommodation, histopathology and follow-up arrangements. The listed facility is Healthway QualiMed Manila at the UP–PGH Faculty Medical Arts Building; this is a Healthway package, not a quotation for PGH’s public service wards.
Perpetual Help has several prices online
Perpetual Help Medical Center–Las Piñas publishes different lap chole offers:
| Published offer | What the page states |
|---|---|
| ₱92,000 promotional package | Professional fees included |
| ₱109,600 inpatient package | Three-day accommodation and professional fees included |
| ₱99,910 senior citizen package | Advertised on a separate 2026 package page |
Ask which offer is available, who qualifies and whether PhilHealth has already been deducted. Do not assume these prices have identical terms or subtract the benefit from a price whose basis is unclear.
Open gallbladder surgery prices
| Hospital | Published open cholecystectomy price | Important conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Diliman Doctors Hospital, Quezon City | From ₱84,530 | Net of PhilHealth; doctors’ fees and room and board included; straightforward cases only |
| Southwestern University Medical Center, Cebu City | ₱109,990 | Advertised as an all-in package, net of PhilHealth |
These are standalone open-surgery packages. They do not establish what you would pay if a planned laparoscopic procedure changes to an open operation.
“Net of PhilHealth” versus “PhilHealth deductible”
The wording on a quotation can change how you interpret the price.
| Wording | What it means for your estimate |
|---|---|
| Net of PhilHealth / PhilHealth deducted | The applicable benefit is already accounted for. Do not subtract it again. |
| Before PhilHealth deduction | Ask billing to show the confirmed deduction and remaining amount. |
| PhilHealth deductible / PhilHealth covered | Ask whether the displayed amount is before or after the deduction. |
| Nothing stated | Wait for clarification before calculating your share. |
Diliman Doctors’ ₱119,020 starting lap chole price is already net of PhilHealth.
Adding the published benefit back to a package does not necessarily reveal the hospital’s actual price without PhilHealth. Package eligibility and pricing may differ. Request a separate quotation if you cannot use the benefit.
Before gallbladder surgery, hospitals usually require routine blood work. You can check the CBC test price in the Philippines to include it in your pre-surgery budget.
How much does PhilHealth cover?
PhilHealth’s January 2025 announcement lists a ₱60,450 cholecystectomy case rate, increased by 50% from ₱40,300. The older ₱31,000 figure predates that intermediate increase. The benefit is applied through the hospital; it is not cash handed to the patient.
Before admission, ask the hospital’s PhilHealth desk to confirm:
- The benefit applicable to your exact operation.
- Your eligibility and required documents.
- Whether the quotation already accounts for the deduction.
- How additional procedures would affect the claim.
Gallbladder removal combined with bile-duct treatment may involve different coding and benefits. Do not assume every variation receives the same amount.
Free surgery at DOH hospitals: Zero Balance Billing
In January 2026, the Health Secretary confirmed that Zero Balance Billing had been operating since July 2025 for patients admitted to basic or ward accommodation in DOH hospitals, allowing covered hospital services without out-of-pocket payment.
For planned gallbladder surgery, contact the hospital’s surgery outpatient clinic or referral service. Ask whether it performs the recommended procedure and how to arrange assessment and ward admission.
Confirm that your admission will be processed under Zero Balance Billing. Ask separately about consultations, tests or other services obtained outside the covered admission.
Are provincial and city hospitals included?
Some LGU hospitals participate, but coverage should not be assumed at every public hospital. A September 2026 government announcement identified funding for six pilot LGU hospitals in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Aklan and Sarangani. Confirm participation with the specific facility.
Coverage also does not establish how soon surgery can be scheduled. Ask the surgical team about assessment, available beds and operating schedules.
Where can you ask for financial assistance?
If you have a remaining balance at another facility, contact Medical Social Service or a Malasakit Center, where available.
PCSO’s Medical Assistance Program requires documents such as identification, a medical abstract and a hospital statement showing applicable deductions. Assistance depends on assessment and does not guarantee payment of the entire balance.
Laparoscopic versus open surgery
| Laparoscopic surgery | Open surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical approach | Small incisions and a camera | A larger abdominal incision |
| Hospital stay | Often shorter | Usually longer |
| Recovery | Generally faster | Generally slower |
| Budget considerations | Excluded tests, fees and additional treatment | Admission costs and potentially longer time away from work |
Open surgery may be necessary because of inflammation, scarring or difficulties encountered during keyhole surgery. Your surgeon chooses the approach based on safety.
NHS guidance describes recovery of around two weeks after uncomplicated keyhole surgery, compared with approximately six to eight weeks after open surgery. Your return to work depends on recovery and how physically demanding your job is. Include transport, follow-up visits, time off work and help at home in your budget.
What can push the bill above the package price?
| Possible additional cost | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Professional fees | Are all attending doctors included? |
| Tests and medical clearance | Which are required for your case, and are they covered? |
| Room and board | What room category and number of nights are included? |
| Surgical supplies and medicines | Are there limits or excluded items? |
| Histopathology | Is examination of the removed gallbladder included? |
| Complications or conversion to open surgery | Does the package remain valid? |
| Medicines and consultations after discharge | What should you budget for at home? |
Healthway QualiMed Iloilo excludes complication management, urgent or STAT charges, unrelated treatment and hospital days beyond the package allowance. Its separate pre-operative bundle starts at ₱5,200.
Cardinal Santos Medical Center states that a case becoming complicated during surgery can lose the package rate and move to itemized billing. Ask your provider whether it follows a similar rule.
Bile-duct stones may need separate treatment
A stone in the common bile duct may require ERCP, an endoscopic procedure distinct from gallbladder removal. If recommended, request a separate estimate and coverage assessment.
Ultrasound is a key test for diagnosing gallstones. Bring existing results and ask whether they remain suitable before repeating tests. See our ultrasound price guide for budgeting information.
HMO coverage and discounts
Can an HMO cover gallbladder surgery?
An HMO may cover approved surgery under your plan. Before a planned admission, confirm:
- Hospital, surgeon and anesthesiologist accreditation.
- Whether a letter of authorization is required.
- Your remaining benefit limit and room entitlement.
- Pre-existing-condition restrictions.
- Coverage for supplies, complications and additional procedures.
Maxicare, for example, states that pre-existing-condition coverage depends on the member’s plan terms. Another patient’s approval does not establish your own coverage.
Ask billing to show the confirmed PhilHealth deduction, approved HMO coverage and remaining patient share. A consult-only card should not be assumed to cover surgery. See our HMO guide.
Senior citizen and PWD discounts
Diliman Doctors and Cardinal Santos state that additional senior citizen or PWD discounts do not apply to their advertised packages.
Ask billing to compare the package with the applicable statutory-discount computation. Do not automatically subtract another 20% from a promotional price. PWD rules provide for the more favorable discount rather than combining promotional and statutory discounts.
Frequently asked questions
Magkano ang operasyon sa bato sa apdo?
Sa mga package na sinuri namin, ₱54,000 hanggang ₱119,990 ang advertised lap chole prices pagkatapos ng PhilHealth. Magkakaiba ang inclusions, kaya humingi ng estimate na kasama ang professional fees, tests at iba pang charges.
Sa DOH hospital, maaaring walang natitirang bayarin para sa covered basic o ward admission sa ilalim ng Zero Balance Billing.
Does every gallstone need surgery?
No. Gallstones that cause no symptoms often do not require treatment. Painful attacks or complications need medical assessment to determine whether surgery is appropriate.
Does the operation remove only the stones?
Cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder, including the stones inside it. Stones in the common bile duct may need separate treatment.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
Some uncomplicated laparoscopic procedures allow same-day discharge or an overnight stay. Open surgery generally requires longer admission. The days included in a package are a billing allowance, not a guaranteed discharge date.
Can I use PhilHealth and an HMO together?
You may be able to use both, subject to the applicable benefits and HMO approval. Ask the hospital to show each confirmed deduction and the amount you must pay.
When should I seek urgent care?
Get medical attention promptly for abdominal pain lasting several hours, vomiting, fever or chills, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These may accompany gallstone complications. Do not delay assessment while comparing prices.
Questions to ask before booking surgery
- Is the price already net of PhilHealth?
- Are the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s fees included?
- Are tests, medical clearance and histopathology covered?
- What room category and number of nights are included?
- What happens to the price if surgery becomes complicated or changes to an open operation?
- What additional procedure might be needed, and how would it be billed?
- What will my HMO cover, and is approval required?
- Is the package more favorable than my applicable senior citizen or PWD discount?
- At a government hospital, will my admission be covered by Zero Balance Billing, and what scheduling requirements apply?
Keep the written quotation and package conditions. Compare the expected total for your case, including exclusions and confirmed benefits.
