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PhilHealth Salutes Elderly Filipinos October 2, 2014

IN observance of the “Linggo ng Katandaang Pilipino,” the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is spearheading a forum on social protection programs for the elderly citizens on October 7, 2014 at the SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 3 in Mandaluyong City.

The first week of October is devoted for the elderly citizens of the country in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 470 s-1994.

The October 7 event shall feature lectures about programs implemented by PhilHealth, the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) that target the elderly. Its highlight shall be the ceremonial signing of a manifesto by the heads of agencies that implement social security programs for the elderly under Republic Act 9994 or The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. These agencies are PhilHealth, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), GSIS and the SSS. The manifesto aims to promote the effective provision of adequate social services and social protection to all the Filipinos, particularly the poor and the elderly.

“Through this event, we expect to further raise public awareness on our Lifetime Member Program (LMP) and the various options through which elderly Filipinos can be covered by the National Health Insurance Program,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla

A bill seeking to grant mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens has passed the Senate’s third reading and is expected to be ratified into law soon. “We welcome this development and we are looking forward to actively participating in the series of consultative sessions for the upcoming law’s implementing rules and regulations,” Padilla said.

As of June this year, there are about 1.45 million Lifetime Members and dependents, representing almost two (2) percent of the total membership count of PhilHealth. These members are provided with PhilHealth coverage for life, without having to pay any premium anymore.

“Our LMP is open to those who have made 120 monthly contributions to the NHIP, and have reached the age of retirement,” Padilla said, clarifying however, that those who are still gainfully employed even at age of retirement are not yet eligible under the LMP.

A team from PhilHealth will set up a booth that provides information dissemination services at the trade hall. The team will also accept applications for registration of new LMP members and updating of their Member Data Records.

The SSS and GSIS will also do the same. They will set up booths that will provide member services not only to the participating senior citizens but to mall goers as well. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Health (DOH) will also have their own information dissemination booths inside the Megatrade Hall.

The event shall be replicated in key cities of the Philippines, albeit on different dates within the month of October. PhilHealth Regional Office II is having its event on Oct 3 at Hotel Carmelita in Tuguegarao City. There will be a discussion on RA 9994 and PhilHealth coverage for the elderly.

PhilHealth’s Regional Office in Cordillera Administrative Region will hold their event on Oct 8 in Bontoc, Mt Province. There will be a ceremonial distribution of LMP ID cards, information and education campaign and provision of member registration services.

Down south, PhilHealth Regional Offices 8, 12 and CARAGA will have events in several cities across the month. There will be registration of Lifetime Members, updating of records, conduct of feedback survey, and distribution of IDs and MDRs. Giveaways and freebies will also be distributed in addition to the provision of medical services for the participants in selected locations.

On the other hand, PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Rizal shall complement the October 7 event in Megatrade Hall by providing freebies to lolos and lolas who will register as Lifetime Members during the day. (END)



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PhilHealth Salutes Elderly Filipinos