The national government will pay the employee share of PhilHealth premiums for employed solo parents, regardless of income, once their membership records are updated, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said on Tuesday.
PhilHealth Corporate Communications Department acting senior manager Christine Mae Magno announced the policy in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. She urged qualified members to avail of it.
Employers will continue to pay their share, while the government covers the employee portion, Magno said. Payroll deductions for qualified solo parents should no longer include an employee share, including for those with high salaries. Only the employer share will be remitted to PhilHealth.
What employed solo parents need to submit
Employed solo parents must give their human resources or payroll office a PhilHealth Member Registration Form and photocopies of both sides of their valid solo parent identification card. Solo parents must first register with their city or municipal social welfare and development office, where they undergo an interview and assessment.
Self-paying solo parents will also be exempt from premium contributions once their records are tagged in PhilHealth’s database as solo parent indirect contributors.
Dependents and records
Under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, dependents up to 22 years old are covered. PhilHealth recognizes dependent information, including birth dates, on an updated solo parent ID. Birth certificates already provided during the local government’s assessment do not have to be submitted again.
Applicants whose solo parent IDs are still being processed may submit a certification from the authorized local government office once their status has been approved.
Magno urged members to keep their records and their dependents’ records updated so they can access benefits. These include the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), outpatient emergency care and inpatient packages. The no co-payment policy also covers members and their declared dependents admitted to basic or ward accommodation, regardless of membership category.
Warning on scam texts
Magno also warned members about fraudulent text messages that tell recipients to replace their PhilHealth IDs through links asking for personal or banking information or payment. She said scammers may use PhilHealth and Bagong Pilipinas logos to make their websites look legitimate.
“Hindi po kailanman magti-text ang PhilHealth nang may link,” Magno said, meaning PhilHealth never sends text messages containing links. PhilHealth may send text reminders about benefit payments and premium contributions, but these do not include links, she added.
Members should delete suspicious messages, especially those asking for one-time passwords or personal records. They may report them to PhilHealth or through [email protected].
PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline is 02-8662-2588. Local health insurance offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The PhilHealth member portal lets members check membership records and contribution histories, pay premiums through GCash and request record amendments.
