About Health and Health Insurance

Nowadays, we are not even sure of our fate, especially our health. Even doctors, who are supposed to heal the sick, are even afflicted by illnesses. People who bombard their systems with very high doses of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and zinc even suffer from illnesses which they do not even expect. No matter how clean you are in your environment or with your body, you are still uncertain. These bacteria and viruses can strike anytime, and we are not even aware that we are the target.

Well, a good friend once said "Invest in your health, for your health is your wealth." This is certainly true. We may be healthy right this time, but can be sick an hour later. We need to invest. We need to think further.

Here comes health insurance. It is a system where people give their contributions (paluwagan), in which the funds will be accumulated, and is to be used when someone gets sick. That's how PhilHealth works. We put in a little contribution, and *knock on wood* just in case we get sick, we can use the money we have contributed to help us with our expenses.

Others may think that being a member of the PhilHealth is just wasting your time and finances, but mind you, your small contributions can help you, bigtime. As I said earlier, we cannot be certain when it comes to health.

In PhilHealth, members are categorized into five. The Sponsored (Indigents), the Individually Paying, the OFW, the Lifetime (Retired) Members, and the Employed. These categories have different membership and collection schemes, but are all entitled to the same benefits one gets.

In this post, let's focus on the individually paying, or the self-employed program.

In order for you to become an individually paying member, you need to have the following requirements:

1. A Fully Accomplished PMRF (PhilHealth Member Registration Form), which can be downloaded and printed here.

2. A photocopy of your birth certificate (BC), with Local Civil Registry number (seen on upper right corner of the BC), and certified by the Local Civil Registry itself. This document must not have discrepancies, especially with your name, gender, and birthdate.

Note: Just in case  you don't have your BC right now, don't be sad. You can send photocopies of two (2) valid IDs, for example, Passport, PRC License, Driver's License, NBI Clearance, and Postal ID. These can be used for identification.

Submit these documents to the nearest PhilHealth Registry Office, or any Local Health Insurance Offices, (List can be found here.) pay the quarterly premium contribution (which is 300 pesos for this quarter [April, May, June]), and presto! You are now a member of PhilHealth. You just have to pay the monthly contribution, and continue having your benefits!