PhilHealth, the government corporation that provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable healthcare, has recently broadened its services and benefits for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
OFWs who are members may now avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits even if they are confined in hospitals abroad. At the same time, their qualified dependents in the Philippines may also avail of the benefits, which include inpatient and outpatient services, Z benefits (Acute Lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia), MDG-related (Malaria, HIV-AIDS, TB, Voluntary Surgical Contraception Procedures, Animal Bite Treatment) ones. This even even if the principal (member) is working overseas.
“Para sa ating mga OFW members, ang PhilHealth ay hindi lamang sa Pilipinas maaaring gamitin. Kahit na may ibang insurance kayong ginagamit sa ibang bansa, makaka-claim pa rin po kayo ng mga benepisyo nito sa Pilipinas, through reimbursement mechanism,” said Dr. Israel Francis Pargas, PhilHealth OIC-VP for Corporate Affairs Group, PhilHealth, who recently was in the UAE on an official visit.
“You have 180 days to file your claims in the Philippines after discharge,” he added.
To file their claims, OFWs need to send to the PhilHealth Philippine office, original or authenticated copies, a statement of account or receipt of payment, proof of being an OFW-member of PhilHealth and proof of contribution.
“They only have to send these documents to the Philippines. They can either send original copies or copies authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate. Once received, we will process the claim and issue a check payment in the name of the member. Para sa mga Filipinos who are just visiting abroad, they can file their claim once they get back to the Philippines,” Pargas explained.
Meantime, Pargas also added that PhilHealth is now insuring foreign nationals, who were married to Filipino citizens and presently residing in the Philippines, as of July 1 this year.
“Napakalawak na po ng ating mga benepisyo sa PhilHealth. Kailangan lamang na panatilihin natin ang ating contributions para sa panahon ng pangangailangan, magagamit natin ito,” he said.
PhilHealth yearly contribution for OFW members is only Ph2,400 or Ph200 per month, which would assure a whole year coverage for themselves and their beneficiaries in the Philippines.
For more information about PhilHealth, services and benefits visit www.philhealth.gov.ph, or call their hotline at +6302 441 7442.
