THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently opened its Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) at the 7th floor of the Global City Business Center of SM Aura Tower located along McKinley Parkway and C5 Road cor. 26th St., Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla and Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano spearheaded the opening ceremony. Also in photo are SM Aura Premier Regional Operations Manager Bernice Baculi (left) and PhilHealth Area II Vice President Dr. Shirley B. Domingo.

“This is the start of a long-term productive relationship with Taguig,” Padilla said.

LHIO BGC was put up in partnership with SM Mall Operators as part of joint efforts to make transactions accessible and more convenient for mall goers who are likewise PhilHealth members. PhilHealth's partnership with SM also includes the latter's accreditation as a non-bank collecting agent for its members' premium contribution payments.

LHIO BGC offers a wide array of public service and hassle-free transactions such as initial membership enrolment (except for Lifetime member), updating and issuance of Member Data Record (MDR) and PhilHealth card, acceptance of remittance reports from the Formal Economy, and assistance on various queries and concerns.

Members who wish to pay their premiums may do so at any accredited bank and non-bank collecting agent located within the area.

During its first month of operation, the LHIO BGC catered to more than a hundred members. About 80 percent of the transactions were on membership, particularly on updating of MDR and issuance of PIN cards, while the rest were contributions-related concerns such as verification of premium payments and receiving of remittance reports.

LHIO BGC is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. (End)