Manpower firms want improved PhilHealth coverage for OFWs

Manpower agencies sending Filipino workers to Saudi Arabia have urged the Department of Health to widen the coverage of health insurance for dependents of OFWs.

The Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. lamented that the program as limited in time, funding and coverage, according to online news site Arab News (www.arabnews.com) Sunday.

“You cannot expect to achieve something significant with a pittance of funding considering the big number of Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents," said PASEI president Victor Fernandez Jr.

Fernandez also said PhilHealth has to be more vigilant to prevent fraudulent claims, which were reported to have deprived the agency of at least P1 billion the past few years.

Under the current arrangement, vacationing OFWs and their legal dependents would get enhanced medical benefits under a “zero co-pay system" or free medical services with accredited hospitals until December.

Acting PhilHealth president Lorna Fajardo said there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for OFWs and dependents availing themselves of the services rendered by DOH hospitals.

Fajardo said PhilHealth is now in the process of making consultations “with different entities interested in the plight of overseas workers."

The new package currently applies to Metro Manila. From October onward, the package will also be available in other DOH hospitals in various parts of the country.

But under the current system, many OFWs are not covered because payment of premium for PhilHealth is no longer done in Philippine overseas missions.

Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) used to collect such premium payments under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Medicare program.

As a result, the PhilHealth memberships of many OFWs who have two-year contracts or more are not renewed until they return home.

Some OFWs also complained that PhilHealth denies service to dependents within the first three months of a worker’s departure from the Philippines.OFW dependents could avail themselves of benefits only when they are hospitalized.

Last July 24, Fernandez wrote PhilHealth and asked it to widen the scope and coverage of the expanded package. He also proposed that OFWs’ yearly contribution of P900 be raised to P1,200 each to cover their beneficiaries’ medical needs.

“Under our proposal, this P300 per year additional contribution must be used exclusively for the out-patient benefit coverage and primary care consultations and medical needs," he said.

He expressed confidence that OFWs would not object to contributing and additional $6.50 to their yearly PhilHealth premium if the purpose is explained to them. - GMANews.TV

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