For LGU-sponsored beneficiaries: PhilHealth extends validity period

CEBU, Philippines - At least five million less privileged families, whose health insurance coverage expired last December 31, 2011, may still avail of health care benefits from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation PhilHealth-accredited facilities until March 31, 2012.

In a statement, PhilHealth announced that the benefit of these families whose coverage under PhilHealth’s Sponsored Program (SP), is provided for by LGUs and/or other sponsors for Calendar Year 2011.

Philhealth emphasized that the extended validity period does not entail any additional cost to the sponsoring LGU.

In Cebu City alone, over 30,000 poor families from 80 barangays in the city are covered by the health insurance with beneficiaries mostly from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

A 50-50 premium sharing scheme is set between the national government through PhilHealth and a highly urbanized local government sponsor like Cebu City.

With an annual insurance premium of only P600 per family, the other half to be shouldered by the national government, the sponsorship is considered an investment in the health of the city’s constituents.Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon, President and CEO, said the 2-month extension will ensure continued health insurance coverage of over ten (10) million low-income and marginalized members of society enrolled under the Sponsored Program. — (FREEMAN)