Legal dependents of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya and other countries can still enjoy the benefits of their membership in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). This is the assurance given by Philhealth president and chief executive officer, Rey Aquino.

Aquino said in a statement, "We want to assure our OFW-members that should hospitalization needs arise, they may still avail themselves of their PhilHealth benefits, provided the period of confinement is within the effectivity period of their coverage."

He added that OFWs can use the unexpired portion of their PhilHealth coverage as stated in their enhanced member data records.

However, to be entitled to PhilHealth benefits, the contributions of OFW should be updated and their premiums are regularly paid by employers.

Aquino further informed, "Employers of sea-based OFWs must ensure that they remit their employees’ premiums regularly and on time, including their counterpart contributions as employers, to ensure that these OFWs or their legal dependents are able to avail themselves of their PhilHealth benefits when they need these most."

All landbased OFWs with appropriate employment contracts with foreign-based employers are covered by the PhilHealth's Overseas Workers Program (OWP). Meanwhile, sea-based OFWs are covered under the employed sector.

The PhilHealth members may avail of the following benefits: allowances for hospital room and board fees, drugs and medicines, X-ray and laboratory fees, allowances for the use of operating room complex and for the professional fees of attending physicians. The said benefits can be availed in accredited institutional health care facilities in the country.