Non-PhilHealth members urged to register

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation called on those who are not yet members of PhilHealth to register on October 2 and be counted among millions covered by the insurance program.

Dubbed "PhilHealth Sabado, Magseguro, Magparehistro," the whole-day registration activity is aimed at ensuring that all Filipinos gain access to financial protection for their hospitalization needs.

In a press statement furnished to The FREEMAN, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Rey B. Aquino said they are reaching out to Filipinos who are not yet members but who have the financial means to pay for their premium contributions.

All regional and service offices of PhilHealth, as well as the DOH's Centers for Health Development and DOH-retained hospitals nationwide have been identified as access points for the registration activity.

Other registration venues will be announced as soon as these are confirmed.

The program also intends the registration of non-member informal sector under the individually paying program (IPP). It also provides for an opportunity to distribute PhilHealth cards to about 800,000 indigents identified in the National Household Targeting System of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

"PhilHealth Sabado" fulfills universal health insurance coverage within three years as promised in the first State of the Nation Address of President Aquino.

PhilHealth said that prospective registrants under this program must bring any valid ID card, and P300 as one quarter premium payment and those who wish to declare their legal dependents outright may bring photocopies of supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage contract, and senior citizen's ID of parents.

To date, PhilHealth has registered about 20 million principal members, 3.42 million of which are individually paying members. (FREEMAN)