The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philheath) has provided health program that would really benefits Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as well as their families.

What are the advantages of integrating the OFW Medicare to the NHIP?

Continuity of Membership - overseas workers who eventually return for good can continue their membership as an Individually Paying Member. In addition, unless otherwise covered by special laws, PhilHealth members who reach the age of sixty and have paid at least 120 monthly contributions to PhilHealth are afforded lifetime coverage without paying additional premiums.

Wider Network of Services - access to services is even more guaranteed with PhilHealth’s wide network of 16 regional offices and 84 service offices nationwide.

More access to quality health care - with health insurance as its core competency, PhilHealth assures overseas workers and their families that the same or even improved quality service will be provided through its 1,548 strong accredited hospitals and 17 free-standing dialysis centers, 70 lying-in and maternity clinics, 21 TB-DOTS Centers and 18,955 professionals. PhilHealth also reimburses overseas confinements!

Financial Stability - overseas workers can rely on PhilHealth’s robust and stable financial status with its close to 51 billion pesos in assets (2004). Prudent management of funds is guaranteed through PhilHealth’s Office of the Actuary who conducts the necessary actuarial studies and recommends insurance premium and investment moves.

Will the premiums increase as a result of the integration?

The premium will remain at 900 pesos for the one year coverage of the overseas worker and his/her qualified dependents. Payments can be made at the PhilHealth Central Office in Pasig City or at any of its 16 regional offices, Overseas Workers Program (OWP) Operations Center at POEA in Mandaluyong City, OWP Service Desk at OWWA-Pasay City, regional offices including its posts abroad.

Overseas workers may likewise pay their premiums in their place of employment using the currency where their payments will be made. A PhilHealth Certificate of Eligibility (PCE) shall be issued for the purpose.

How about the benefits?

Apart from the existing benefits being provided under OWWA-Medicare, overseas worker-members are assured of a more expanded benefit package which they can avail themselves of in times of medical contingencies. Overseas workers can also look forward to supplemental health care benefits which shall be provided by OWWA using the remaining portion of the OM-HIF amounting to some 3 billion pesos.