FILIPINOS WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP ARE NOW COVERED BY PHILHEALTH

FILIPINOS with dual citizenships, or those who have retained and re-acquired their Filipino Citizenship by virtue of Republic Act 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, may now enjoy social health insurance coverage.

Through Circular No. 2017-0004, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced this new development in line with its ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The PhilHealth administers the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and is mandated to provide social health insurance coverage to ensure affordable, acceptable, available and accessible health care services for all citizens of the Philippines.

Republic Act 7875 as amended by R.A. No. 10606, also known as the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, defines Filipinos with Dual Citizenship (FDCs) as "Filipinos who are also citizens of other countries."

To register under the NHIP, the FDCs must submit a properly filled out PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and a Certificate of Re-acquisition/Retention of Philippine Citizenship (CRPC) or Identification Certificate (IC) issued by the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate abroad, or by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to the revised rules governing Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225. The PMRF is downloadable from the PhilHealth website, www.philhealth.gov.ph.

For FDCs declaring legal dependents, they must attach a copy of the CRPC or IC to the PMRF for children below 21 years old who are not gainfully employed and are unmarried. If declaring children above 21 years old but who are suffering from disability, either physical or mental, or any disability acquired that renders them totally dependent on the member for support, the FDCs should attach a copy of the CRPC or IC and a Medical Certificate stating and describing the extent of disability.

A legitimate spouse who is similarly a Filipino with dual citizenship but is not a PhilHealth member may be declared as dependent. A copy of the marriage contract and CRPC or IC must be attached to the PMRF. Foreign spouses are not considered qualified legal dependents of FDCs.

The FDCs may also declare as dependents their Filipino parents who are below 60 years old but are suffering from disability, either physical or mental, or any disability acquired that renders them totally dependent on the member for support. A copy of the FDC’s birth certificate and that of the parents, and a Medical Certificate stating the extent of the parents’ disability must be attached to the PMRF as support documents.

The premium contribution of FDCs is pegged at P3,600.00 a year. It shall be remitted to any PhilHealth office or to any accredited local or overseas collecting agent. Advance payment of premiums shall be allowed for a maximum period of two (2) consecutive years only.

The FDCs and their qualified dependents can avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits in any accredited health care institution in the Philippines, or in health care facilities abroad, provided that they have paid their premium contributions of at least three (3) months within the six-month period prior to the first day of availment.

Aside from the in-patient benefits, they are also entitled to avail themselves of the special benefit packages and the Z benefits subject to the existing implementing guidelines on availment. They are also eligible to reimburse benefits for confinements abroad equivalent to the full Case Rate amount, payable in Philippine peso. Claim documents for overseas confinements, however, should be sent to PhilHealth within 180 days from date of discharge.

Interested Filipinos with dual citizenships may contact the nearest PhilHealth Regional Office or Local Health Insurance Office, or call the PhilHealth Corporate Action Center at (02) 441-7442 or through the Overseas Filipinos Program at ofp@philhealth.gov.ph for more details. # Source - (Pedro Abella)/PHILHEALTH