The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) reminds all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) not to forget or neglect their Philhealth membership even while working abroad. The agency said that OFWs must ensure that they are able to pay their Philhealth contributions and their Member’s Data Record (MDR) as well as the information about their dependents is updated and accurate.

For OFWs with Philhealth coverage that is already expired, they can still continue paying for their Philhealth premiums by shifting their membership to Individually-Paying Program (IPP) for voluntary or self-employed individuals. This is applicable to OFWs that have just returned to the Philippines to look for a new overseas job and those who want to stay in the country for good. Keeping the Philhealth contributions updated is worth the effort because a member can continuously enjoy its benefits and privileges.

The payment for Philhealth contributions of non-professional workers is Php300 per quarter or Php1, 200 annually. Professional members whose income is more than Php25,000 pay Php600 per quarter or Php2,400 a year.

The OFW can pay the Philhealth contributions or update  their MDR through the help of a family member or an authorized representative. There are required documents such as employment contract, work visa, etc. that must be presented in updating Philhealth information. There are also selected locations abroad where an OFW can update Philhealth premiums. Those who want to know the required documents and locations abroad where they can pay Philhealth contributions, please visit the official website of Philhealth at: www.philhealth.gov.ph

The dependents of OFW in the Philippines are also reminderdto keep a copy of their MDR so they can readily avail of the benefits if ever the need arises. The OFW coverage of Philhealth extends to hospitals abroad. An OFW who is hospitalized out of the country can file for reimbursement at any of the Philhealth branches in the Philippines. They just need to file the refund claim within six months from the date of discharge from hospital.

There is also a Philhealth desk at the POEA-One Stop Processing Center located at the POEA office in Ortigas, Mandaluyong.