Title
PhilHealth Indigent Program Implementation
Law
Philhealth Circular No. 48, S. 1999
Decision Date
Apr 7, 1999
PhilHealth Circular No. 48, issued by President and CEO Enrique M. Zalamea, establishes the eligibility of indigent members and their dependents for Medicare benefits under the National Health Insurance Program, mandating accredited providers to deliver necessary services and process claims accordingly.

Medicare benefits and identification cards

  • Each qualified indigent member is issued PhilHealth Identification Cards containing pertinent information.
  • PhilHealth Identification Cards contain information on the effectivity and validity of coverage.
  • PhilHealth Identification Cards contain the names of legal dependents, using the same definitional approach as Program I.
  • Medicare entitlement is implemented through these enrolled indigent members and their dependents, evidenced by their PhilHealth Identification Cards.

Provider participation and service duty

  • Accredited PhilHealth providers must render services to each of these new PhilHealth members under the Indigent Sector Component.
  • Provider participation is automatic upon accreditation as an accredited PhilHealth provider.
  • Provider entitlement to participate does not remove the provider’s responsibility to deliver the required services to indigent members.

Claims filing and payment processing

  • Claims for payment of services pertaining to newly covered indigent members and their dependents must be filed for processing.
  • Claims must be filed at PhilHealth Central Office, 3rd Floor, JOCFER Building, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, or at PhilHealth’s Regional Health Insurance Office in the provider’s area.
  • Claims coverage is tied to services rendered to the indigent members and their dependents for whom PhilHealth Identification Cards are issued.
  • The benefit package for indigent members is attached for use in claims filing.

Legal basis for indigent Medicare entitlement

  • Indigent members’ entitlement to medicare privileges is provided under Section 4 (a.iv), Rule I; Section 23, Rule IV; and Sections 44(d) and 49, Rule VIII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.
  • Indigent Medicare entitlement is also anchored on the application for accreditation under Section 2.1, Part II (Warranties of Accreditation).

Adoption, guidance, and compliance instruction

  • The circular is adopted on 7 April 1999.
  • The circular is issued under the authority of ENRIQUE M. ZALAMEA, President and CEO.
  • Providers receive instructions for guidance and strict compliance with the Indigent Program implementation requirements.

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.