DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Region 1 warned the public to be cautious of online fixers offering quick access to PhilHealth IDs and member data records (MDRs) for a fee.
Joseph Manuel, head of the PhilHealth-Regional Office 1’s Public Affairs Unit, reminded everyone that these services are free and urged people not to deal with unauthorized individuals.
“May mga na-monitor po kami nag-aalok online, na nag-ooffer ng kanilang services at naniningil ng P200 to P500 para mas mapabilis ang kanilang pagkuha ng MDR at PhilHealth ID,” Manuel said during a recent episode of the Tongtongan ed PIA program of the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan (PIA).
(We have monitored individuals offering their services online, charging P200 to P500 to expedite the processing of MDR and PhilHealth IDs.)
Manuel explained that becoming a member is simple: just visit their office, fill out the registration form, and provide valid documents like a birth certificate or any government-issued ID to receive a PhilHealth member identification number.
He said members’ data will be accessible through the PhilHealth portal for monitoring and updates.
“If you are already a member, you can use the PhilHealth member portal on our website at https://memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph/member for online services. Just register, create an account, and you can download your Member Data Record. Through that, you can check if your contributions are up to date and get your member data online,” Manuel said.
He also noted that PhilHealth’s legal office is actively investigating illegal activities related to fraudulent transactions involving online fixers.
PhilHealth also warned that fixers involved in fraudulent activities are subject to penalties under the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
Violators could face fines of up to P2,000,000 and imprisonment of up to six years.
Members can report fraudulent activities to PhilHealth 24/7 through their hotline at (02) 8662-2588, mobile numbers: 0998-8572957, 0968-8654670, 0917-1275987, and 0917-1109812, or via email at [email protected].
Meanwhile, Region 1 members can visit PhilHealth Ilocos Region at Akia Bldg., Old De Venecia Highway, Dagupan City, or contact them via email at [email protected] or through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PhilHealthIlocos1Region. (MJTAB/AMB/EMSA/AQA, PIA Pangasinan)
