As an OFW, it is now a must to have a membership of PhilHealth and make use of it as a Health Insurance.
PhilHealth helps reduce payment from your personal savings account in order to pay for your medication, or to minimize the medical expenses for those less fortunate.
Fortunately, with the cooperation of OWWA, PhilHealth now has a program that gives expanded benefits to OFWs.
What are the PhilHealth Benefits for OFWs
Overseas Filipino workers need more in terms of health benefits due to the nature of their work, which is why PhilHealth extends its hand to the vast number of OFWs who can use every bit of help they can get.
There are three (3) kinds of OFWs, namely sea-based OFWs like seafarers and others who work on ships and offshore locations, land-based OFWs, and Filipinos with dual citizenships.
PhilHealth benefits that OFWs are entitled to include inpatient benefits, outpatient benefits, Z benefits, and MDG-related benefits.
PhilHealth Claim Reimbursement
As an Overseas Filipino Workers, you get to avail of PhilHealth benefits even if you are abroad through claim reimbursements. If you are ever confined in a hospital abroad, you have 180 days upon discharge to submit a claim document to any PhilHealth office in the Philippines.
Qualified dependents are also entitled to the same benefits as you, thus being able to take care of their medical needs even when you are working outside the country.
PhilHealth Lifetime Membership
Upon reaching retirement age and having paid at least 120 months worth of contributions are automatically qualified for lifetime membership in PhilHealth.
This covers surgical procedures and over 4,600 medical, including cancer and other dreaded illnesses, having a lifetime PhilHealth membership is certainly a good thing.
How to Apply for PhilHealth as an OFW
You will have to enroll and declaring your status as an active OFW, If you are not yet an active and contributing PhilHealth member.
You will have to update PhilHealth on your status, if you are already an active PhilHealth member and just recently became an OFW.
To avail of this program, get a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and fill it up, then make duplicate copies of it. Bring the duplicate copies of PMRF along with supporting documents for legal dependents, proof of status as an active OFW, and payment for corresponding premium contribution to a nearby PhilHealth office.
If you are already overseas, find a PhilHealth office if you can and present a PhilHealth Premium Payment Slip (PPPS), copies of the PMRF if you aren’t a member yet, a valid ID or identifying document (i.e. birth certificate, baptismal certificate, POEA ECARD, SSS ID, company ID, passport), and payment for corresponding premium contribution.
Where to Pay PhilHealth Contributions
You may pay your premiums or contributions to PhilHealth through any of the following options:
- PhilHealth-accredited collecting agents and tie-ups abroad. (Click here to see the complete list.)
- Through the PhilHealth Counter at the POEA, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City or accredited collecting partners in the Philippines. (Click here to see the complete list.)
You need to pay your premiums whether you’re employed abroad or currently waiting for employment to ensure that you can avail of your benefits when the need arises.
You have to use your PhilHealth Identification Number when paying your contributions and make sure it’s correct to ensure that your premiums won’t be credited to another member.
How to File a Claim for Hospital Confinement Abroad
You must send the following documents through e-mail to the Local Health Insurance Office nearest the Overseas Filipino Worker’s Philippine address or via overseas courier. You must submit the following documents within 180 calendar days from the date of discharge.
- Copy of the Medical Certificate indicating the final diagnosis or a medical abstract or medical record, confinement period and medical services rendered.
- A copy of the operative/operating record (if an operation was performed).
- Statement of account
- Official Receipt (OR) issued by the hospital and doctor
These documents must be written in English. You also have to submit a properly filled out PhilHealth Claim Form 1.
If you are an OFW member or if any of your dependents is confined in the Philippines, you must fill out the PhilHealth Claim Form 1 and submit it to the Billing Section of the accredited hospital before being discharged.
How to Request PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR)
To request for your PhilHealth Member Data Record, just email the following details to ofp@philhealth.gov.ph:
- Last name, Full name, Middle name
- Date of Birth
You will receive a copy of your MDR immediately. You also need to get a copy of your MDR at any PhilHealth office in the Philippines.
What if I have forgotten my PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN)?
To know your PIN, you may send a text message to 0917-5129149 or email the following info to ofp@philhealth.gov.ph:
- LAST NAME
- FIRST NAME
- MIDDLE NAME
- BIRTHDAY
Updating Membership Category
By filling out the PMRF and present any the following documents, you can already update your membership category.
- Valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
- Valid E-Receipt
- Valid Working Visa/Re-entry Permit
- Valid Job Employment Contract
- Valid Company ID issued by employer abroad
- Remittance receipt for at least 2 months before the date of payment
- Certificate of Employment for applicable period from employer abroad
- Valid ID/Certificate issued to OFWs in the host country (e.g. Iqama, HK ID, Soggiorno)
- Any other equivalent proof, subject to the approval of the authorized officer
For more info about PhilHealth Benefits for OFWs, contact PhilHealth Hotline (+632) 441-7442 or visit the Philhealth website. Or click PhilHealth FAQs for OFW members.
Click here to read:
- How to Apply for BDO Kabayan Savings Account for OFWs
- How to Avoid Illegal Recruitment for OFWs
- How to Get the OFW iDOLE Card