In the 1990s, a vision for a better, more responsive government health care program was prompted by the passage of several bills that had significant implications on health financing. The public’s clamor for a health insurance that is more comprehensive in terms of covered population and benefits led to the development of House Bill 14225 and Senate Bill 01738 which became The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7875, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 14, 1995. The law paved the way for the creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), mandated to provide social health insurance coverage to all Filipinos in 15 years’ time.
PhilHealth assumed the responsibility of administering the former Medicare program for government and private sector employees from the Government Service Insurance System in October 1997, from the Social Security System in April 1998, and from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in March 2005.
1. If currently in the Philippines, visit the nearest PhilHealth Regional Office, Local Health Insurance Office, PhilHealth Business Center or PhilHealth Express outlet in your locality. (Check location here)
2. If currently overseas,
Overseas Filipino members may avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits even if they are confined in hospitals abroad. At the same time, their qualified dependents in the Philippines may avail themselves of the benefits even if the principal is working overseas.
These benefits include:
Overseas Filipino members must meet the following conditions to be able to avail of benefits:
If an Overseas Filipino member is confined abroad, the following documents must be sent either via overseas courier or electronic mail to the PhilHealth Regional Office or Local Health Insurance Office nearest the OF’s Philippine address within 180 calendar days from the date of discharge:
Properly filled out PhilHealth Claim Form 1
If an Overseas Filipino member or his qualified dependent is confined in the Philippines, a properly filled out PhilHealth Claim Form 1 must be submitted to the Billing Section of the accredited hospital before being discharged.
To verify if your PhilHealth Member Data Record contains updated information about your membership profile and your list of qualified dependents, click on the Member Inquiry icon under the Online Services section, follow the log-in procedures and check on the accuracy of your member data.
The annual premium contribution of land-based Overseas Filipinos is based on the amount prescribed by the Corporation. The minimum current rate is P2,400.00 per year. This can be paid in advance for two years to five years, or depending on the duration of the employment contract with the overseas employer.
For seafarers, the premium contribution rate is salary-based following the premium schedule for the Formal Economy. (Click here for premium contribution schedule)
Premium payments may be made overseas through any of our PhilHealth-accredited collecting agents and tie-ups abroad. (Click here for the list of accredited collecting agents and tie-ups abroad)
Payments may also be made at any or our accredited collecting partners in the Philippines or through the PhilHealth Counter at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City. (Click here for the list of accredited collecting agents)
PhilHealth coverage need not end when your contract with manning agency ends. If vacationing in the Philippines while waiting for contract renewal, sea-based OF members should pay their premium contributions to ensure benefits availment should the need arises.
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