Advantages of Being a PhilHealth Member If You’re An OFW

Do you know that it’s very important to be a PhilHealth member, especially if you are an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) working abroad? It is because you and your dependent can avail of the benefits offered by PhilHealth.

Here is the list of benefits that you can have if you make yourself a PhilHealth member.

1. Overseas Filipinos may avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits for hospital confinements and out-patient surgeries in the Philippines.

OFWs and their dependents’ confinement in any accredited health care institution in the Philippines will be paid for by PhilHealth through the All Case Rate payment scheme.

2. If you are hospitalized abroad, you can reimburse your expenses.

Once discharged, you are given 180 days to process the documents you need for reimbursement. You can submit your claim documents to any PhilHealth office in the Philippines. Maybe you can ask a relative to process and submit the required documents for you.

3. Your dependents, if they are qualified, are also entitled to the same set of benefits as you do.
   This is very important especially for OFWs who are away from their family. Many of your days are spent worrying about the safety of your family in the Philippines. With this, you do not have to worry anymore since they are covered by your PhilHealth membership if ever they are hospitalized in the Philippines.
4. OFWs are entitled to Lifetime Membership.

If you reach your retirement age and have paid at least 120 months of contribution, you become an automatic Lifetime member of PhilHealth, This means that your worry of providing for your healthcare needs would be lessened especially at that age where you are more prone to sickness than ever.

5. PhilHealth has a wide coverage of benefits

Most illnesses, procedures, and causes of hospitalizations are covered by PhilHealth. This ranges from cases of cancer to procedures of dialysis.

You can always check PhilHealth’s website should you have questions. Instructions on how to become a member to conditions of benefit availment are all included in the website.

(Source: FilipinoTimes.net)