Starting July 1 this year, in order to avail of Philhealth benefits, you must have paid nine months of premiums prior to the month of hospitalization or outpatient treatment. Previously, only three months of prior payments were required.
Meron na ring 9-month requirement noon, pero this was only for maternity cases and certain surgery cases.
Starting July 1, every Philhealth member will need to comply with the nine-month requirement, whether Employed Member or Individually Paying Member, to avail of Philhealth benefits.
Update as of October 2011: Itong Philhealth circular na ito, hindi ito natuloy na na-implement. Na-suspend ang kanyang implementation. So, for employees and for voluntary members (except maternity and certain surgery cases for voluntary members), tuloy pa rin na eligible kayo for Philhealth benefits as long as you have at least made 3 monthly payments within the six-month period immediately prior to hospitalization.
Ang exceptions na lang sa 9-month requirement ay yong:
OFW members — kasi their benefit dates are definite — stamped on their Philhealth receipts
Lifetime members — kasi hindi na sila nagbabayad dahil retired members na sila
Sponsored members — kasi may mga nagbabayad para sa kanila katulad ng local municipal governments o DSWD o iba pang agencies
So, let us pay our monthly premiums without fail. Merong case na puede tayong maka-miss ng 3 months and still avail of Philhealth benefits, but never more than 3 months. Just make sure na meron kayong 9 months of Philhealth payments within the 12-month period prior to month of hospitalization.
For example, ang hospitalization ay this February 2011, dapat meron kang nabayaran na 9 months mula February 2010 to January 2011.
Related article:
Nine Months of Philhealth Payments Required to Avail of Benefits