ALL women who are about to give birth will be covered by social health insurance, and will thus be entitled to avail themselves of maternity care benefits at the opportune time.

With its mandate to give financial risk protection to all, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminds all expectant mothers who are not yet PhilHealth members, to immediately enrol in the National Health Insurance Program to be automatically eligible for the benefits. Inactive members are also reminded to update their premium contributions to qualify for benefit availment.

According to Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth President and CEO, “pinahahalagahan natin ang kalusugan ng lahat ng Filipino, lalo na ang mga magiging ina at kanilang sanggol. Ito ay isang espesyal na pribilehiyo kung kaya naman mas pinadali natin ang proseso ng pagpapa-rehistro upang sila ay agad na makagamit ng kinakailangang benepisyo”.

Pregnant women who are not yet covered by PhilHealth are advised to submit the duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form and any proof confirming pregnancy such as medical certificate from physician/midwife, laboratory/ultrasound results or photocopy of their admission book. They also need to pay the corresponding annual premium contribution of PhP2,400 to any PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office to avail themselves of the benefits. Those who are already enrolled to PhilHealth should update their premium contributions.

Women who are still minors should be enrolled as primary members regardless whether they are already qualified dependents or not. This is to ensure that their newborns shall also be covered by social health insurance.

For expectant mothers who are assessed and classified under C-3 to D segments of the population, the Point-of-Care enrolment scheme shall apply in participating PhilHealth-accredited government health care institutions.

Included in the Maternity Care Package (MCP) are health services during antenatal period, normal delivery and post-partum period, including follow-up visits within 72 hours and one (1) week after delivery. The MCP is worth PhP6,500 if availed of in an accredited hospital and PhP8,000 when availed of in accredited birthing homes, maternity clinics, infirmaries or dispensaries.

PhilHealth also stressed that women should have pre-natal consultations at the earliest time and requires at least four (4) pre-natal visits during the course of pregnancy to detect and manage danger signs and complications of pregnancy and reduce risk of perinatal death.

On the other hand, the Normal Spontaneous Delivery Package (NSD) covers essential health services for normal, low-risk vaginal deliveries and post-partum period. The package is worth PhP5,000 for in-hospital availment and PhP6,500 if availed of in accredited birthing homes, maternity clinics, infirmaries or dispensaries.

Other deliveries such as Caesarean section, complicated vaginal deliveries such as breech extraction are also covered if done in accredited hospitals.

In addition, the newborn baby is entitled to the Newborn Care Package (NCP) which includes Newborn Screening Test, Newborn Hearing Test and provisions of essential newborn care. Total worth of the NCP is PhP1,750.00.

PhilHealth emphasized however, that this privilege given to women about to give birth, shall only be availed of once without penalties. (END) (Pinky G. Aragones)