Foreign retirees can now join PhilHealth

MANILA, Philippines - Starting July 1, foreigners and former Filipino citizens who have chosen to retire in the Philippines may enroll in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

In a statement, PhilHealth said the new policy is based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) the agency signed with the Philippine Retirement Authority in 2015. 

Under the MOU, qualified foreign retirees registered with the PRA or former Filipinos may become PhilHealth members under the informal economy member category to gain access to medical care services in the country.

Interested foreign retirees may submit PhilHealth member registration forms for foreign nationals to the PRA, which will facilitate their enrolment into the National Health Insurance Program.

The requirements for their enrolment are their special resident retiree’s visa and documents indicating they have been granted permanent residency status. 

Excluded from the foreign retirees’ benefits are the Z benefit package, meant for health conditions that require prolonged hospitalization and expensive treatments; reimbursement for all confinements abroad and benefits for women about to give birth.

The annual premium contribution rate for PRA foreign retirees is P15,000 while that of other foreign citizens is P17,000.