PhilHealth offers GCs to members

CEBU, Philippines - A gift certificate for individually paying members has been offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Program in Central Visayas.

Maria Agnes Veronica Dizon, chief of social insurance officer of PhilHealth-7, said the PhilHealth GC is envisioned to be adopted nationwide.

During yesterday’s press conference, Dizon said the P600 GC will be purchased for the same amount.

PhilHealth members can buy the GC and give it to non-members so that they can enroll under the Individually Paying Program, or give it to the existing members so that they can pay for their PhilHealth contribution, Dizon said.

“The concept is very simple. It is like purchasing insurance coverage for someone or sponsoring the insurance premium of another without actually handing out cash,” Dizon said, adding that it is a gift, actually an investment in health, for the purpose of securing health insurance coverage.

The PhilHealth GC may be purchased at the Membership Section of the regional office. But the recipient must have it validated within six months from the date of purchase to activate membership.

For new members, validation requires presentation of duly accomplished PhilHealth member registration form together with a copy of the recipient’s birth certificate or any valid I.D. and supporting documents for declared dependents.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth will celebrate its Glass Anniversary on February 14 with the theme “Sa Philhealth, Pinalawak na Benepisyo… Garantisado.”

Jenet Ann Advincula, chief of field operations of PhilHealth-7, said they have lined up a series of activities such as putting up of information desks at malls, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center, Cebu Doctor’s Hospital and Chong Hua Hospital; and hospital visitation to distribute PhilHealth kits.

“Our anniversary celebration will not be complete without exercising our corporate social responsibility. The regional office is a staunch advocate of corporate social responsibility, ensuring that we give more than public service to our community,” Advincula said.

Republic Act No. 7875, enacted into law on February 14, 1995, established the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), which created the PhilHealth. (FREEMAN)