Healthcare firm expands in Cebu as demand grows for AI services

CEBU, Philippines — Outsourcing firm Optum Philippines has opened a new office in Cebu IT Park, expanding its presence in the country as healthcare global capability centers (GCCs) move toward technology-driven services, analytics and artificial intelligence.

The company, part of UnitedHealth Group, is positioning Cebu as a strategic base for developing specialized healthcare and technology talent as global demand grows for services beyond traditional business process outsourcing.

“The new Cebu office marks an exciting chapter for Optum in the Philippines,” said Samarth Mathur, managing director of Optum Philippines. He said the facility reflects the company’s confidence in Filipino talent and its role in shaping global healthcare.

The expansion comes as GCCs take on more sophisticated roles in digital health, automation, healthcare analytics and artificial intelligence, moving beyond traditional support functions toward higher-value operations.

The shift is creating opportunities for Filipino professionals in healthcare analytics, digital operations, pharmacy account management and technology-related roles, while raising demand for workers with specialized technical and industry skills.

Cebu strengthens position as healthcare technology hub

Cebu’s skilled workforce and established information technology and business process management industry (IT-BPM) are supporting its emergence as a destination for more complex healthcare and technology operations.

To strengthen industry collaboration, Optum Philippines partnered with the Global Capability Center Council Philippines and Toby’s Sports to organize the inaugural Optum GC3 Cup, a one-day pickleball tournament involving representatives from GC3 member organizations.

The event sought to foster connections across Cebu’s GCC community while promoting employee wellness.

Beyond workplace expansion, Optum is investing in talent development to prepare graduates for increasingly specialized roles in healthcare technology and enterprise operations.

The company recently marked the completion of the first cohort of its Technology Development Program, which trains high-potential graduates for enterprise technology positions through structured learning, practical experience and opportunities for global collaboration.

Participants attended an Enterprise Early Careers boot camp alongside peers from the United States, India and Ireland, gaining exposure to cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide learning.

Optum Philippines is also developing partnerships with academic institutions across the region to establish career pathways in healthcare technology and digital innovation.

Workplace investment supports talent strategy

The new Cebu facility features collaborative workspaces, wellness rooms and recreational areas designed to support employee engagement and productivity.

“As a healthcare organization, care is at the heart of everything we do, and that extends to our workforce,” said Glenda Banawa-Roco, senior director for operations and Cebu site lead at Optum Philippines.

Optum has operated in the Philippines since 2011 and maintains offices in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao. Its services include customer care, payment integrity, pharmacy benefit management and revenue cycle management for US clients.

The Cebu expansion emphasizes the importance of talent development and workplace investment as healthcare companies seek to build capabilities in technology-intensive services and strengthen their global operations in the Philippines.  — (FREEMAN)