Foreigners under Philhealth

Ian Alfredo Magno

THIS latest issuance, Philhealth Circular No. 2017–0003 (Enrollment of Foreign Nationals Under the Informal Economy Program of the National Health Insurance Program) allows foreign individuals to be enrolled under Philhealth, effective July 1, 2017.

Section 5 (b6), Rule 1, Title III of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7875 as amended by RA 9241 and RA 10606 otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, provides for the inclusion of “citizens of other countries working and/or residing in the Philippines” under the Informal Economy of the NHIP, to wit:

“b. Members in the Informal Economy – this sector would include but are not limited to the following:

“… 6. Citizens of other countries working or residing in the Philippines – Foreign citizens with valid working permits and/or Aliens Certificate of Registrations (ACRs) working or residing in the Philippines…”

Likewise, Philhealth Board Resolution No. 2093, s-2016 approved specific mechanisms of providing social health insurance coverage to foreign nationals and former Filipinos under the partnership program between Philhealth and Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

The following foreigners will be covered by under the Informal Economy Program:

• foreign retirees or former Filipino nationals registered to PRA and their qualified;
• dependents who are holders of Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) and granted permanent residency status pursuant to Section 9 (d) of Executive Order No. 1037 dated July 4, 1985;
• citizens of other countries working and/or residing in the Philippines and holders of valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card)

Moreover, they may likewise declare the following family members as their qualified dependents:

For foreign national with Filipino spouse:

• Filipino spouse and children below 21 years old who is not covered under the NHIP;

For couples who are both foreigners:

• Either the foreign spouse or one of their children under 21 years old who is not a Filipino citizen

The applicable annual premium contribution rate ranges from P15,000/annum – for foreign retirees registered in PRA; to P17,000/annum – for other foreigners.

Having been covered under a Joint Philhealth-PRA Memorandum, foreign retirees registered in PRA will have a lower annual premium rate, with the arrangement that PRA will help Philhealth facilitate enrollment of foreign retirees.

In addition, member-foreign nationals are entitled to inpatient, outpatient and special benefit packages. However, they are disqualified from availing Z Benefit Packages; and from reimbursing expenses incurred from confinements abroad.

(Lawyer Ian Alfredo T. Magno is with Philhealth. E-mail: ianalfredom@gmail.com)