The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminded college students who will join limited in-person classes to register with the agency or secure medical insurance which will help in covering their expenses in case they contracted Covid-19.
PhilHealth Vice President for Corporate Affairs Dr. Shirley Domingo said that this policy is in accordance with the joint memorandum of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH).
"Nakalagay po doon na iyong estudyante ay kailangan pong magkaroon ng PhilHealth registration o kahit anong katumbas na medical insurance para magkaroon naman sila ng proteksiyon habang nagpi-face-to-face classes po sila (It was stated that students need PhilHealth registration or have an equivalent medical insurance so that they can have protection while they are taking face-to-face classes)," she said.
The government's pandemic task force also issued a same resolution, stating that "HEIs (higher education institutions) shall ensure that students who will participate in the conduct of limited face-to-face classes are registered with PhilHealth or with equivalent medical insurance which covers medical expenses related to Covid-19."
The IATF said college students can either register as "direct contributor or indirect contributor." PhilHealth defined direct contributors as "those who have the capacity to pay premiums" while indirect contributors are people who don't have that capacity. The monthly premium rate is at P300.
"Students above 21 years of age may enroll in PhilHealth as indigent members, with the basis that the student has no visible means of income. Otherwise, students below 21 years of age may be classified as dependents of their parents/legal guardians," it added.
College students who will register with PhilHealth can avail different benefit packages aside from those related to Covid-19, said Domingo.
"Pare-pareho po ang ating mga benepisyo for all. Mayroon tayong mga in-patient benefits, itong Covid benefits po natin. At mayroon din tayong mga out-patient benefits na puwedeng makuha katulad ng mga dialysis and chemotherapy. Lahat po iyon ay puwedeng makuha. Pare-pareho po ang ating mga benepisyo po (Our benefits are the same for all. We have in-patient benefits, Covid benefits. And we also have out-patient benefits that can be availed such as dialysis and chemotherapy. All of those are available)," she said.