Philhealth exemption of OFWs with 'young' parents sought

A leader in the recruitment industry is urging Philippine lawmakers to spare unmarried overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose parents are below 60 years old from paying membership fees with the Philippine Health Insurance Program or PhilHealth because they don’t benefit from it at all.

But Lorna Fajardo, acting president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth, rejected the idea outright.

Lito Soriano, a recruitment industry leader, said that Congress must look into the P900 annual contribution of unmarried OFWs with “young parents."

"While working abroad, OFWs are covered with health insurance paid for by their employers. So they won’t be enjoying PhilHealth benefits. Their parents back in the Philippines wouldn’t be qualified as dependents unless they are 60 years of age," he said.

“For this particular group of OFWs, what is the P900 contribution for?" Soriano said.

PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 760, Series of 2005 provides that qualified dependents of unmarried OFWs are “parent/s who are 60 years old and above and not members of the National Health Insurance Program."

“The concept of social health insurance is that it is mandatory for Filipinos who are employed. Regardless of whether or not you are single or married, you’re supposed to be covered by this," Fajardo explained in an interview with GMANews.TV

“As in all health insurance programs, a member doesn’t get anything in return, except when he or she gets ill. Payments to PhilHealth must be made to ensure continuity," Fajardo said, adding that after making 120 contributions a member becomes a lifetime PhilHealth member.

She also said that PhilHealth benefits should not be seen in terms of what a member can get, but what he or she can share to others especially those who are ill.

“What we are saying is that social health insurance is about helping others. As you help yourself, you are also helping the others. So, if you don’t get sick, you help those who get sick. This is a solidarity concept whereby everyone takes care of one another," Fajardo added. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV

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