PhilHealth extends insurance to over 5 million poor families

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has extended the coverage for over five million poor families nationwide.

PhilHealth president Eduardo Banzon said the health coverage of members relying on local government unit (LGU) sponsors was extended for three months.

“Those whose health insurance coverage expired last Dec. 31, 2011 can still avail of the health care benefits from facilities accredited by PhilHealth until March 31, 2012,” Banzon said.

According to Banzon, about five million families from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are expected to benefit from the extended health insurance coverage.

Various local governments previously gave PhilHealth membership to about 10 million families identified as “poor” by the DSWD.

Under the program, the annual premiums of enrolled families are jointly shouldered by the national government through PhilHealth and sponsors such as local governments, private individuals and corporations.

Banzon added that although they have extended the validity period of the insurance coverage, it does not entail any additional cost from the LGU sponsors. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)