TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) urged solo parents to register with their local government units (LGUs) to access healthcare benefits.
Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0020, solo parents and their dependents are automatically covered under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
This initiative is part of PhilHealth’s implementation of Republic Act No. 11861, the “Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act,” along with RA 7875 (NHIP Act), as amended by RA 11223 (Universal Health Care Act), which outlines specific policies to extend healthcare benefits to solo parents.
Available Benefits for Solo Parents
Salvador Soriano Jr., social insurance officer II from PhilHealth Region 2, said registered solo parents can access various benefits under Section 9 of RA No. 11223 and PhilHealth Circular No. 2022-0013.
These include inpatient and outpatient services, Z benefits for critical illnesses, no co-payment/balance billing, the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) benefits, which cover HIV/AIDS treatment, animal bite care, maternity care packages, and more.
Registration Requirements
To register, solo parents may visit their nearest solo parent office or LGU division. Walk-in applicants at PhilHealth offices will need to submit a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF), indicate their member type as an indirect contributor, and provide a Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) number along with a photocopy of the SPIC.
“Solo parents already registered with the DSWD Central Database or their local social welfare offices are automatically enrolled with PhilHealth,” Soriano added.
Declaring Dependents
He said solo parents may claim children aged 22 and below who are single, unemployed, and living with them as dependents. Children over 22 with permanent disabilities are also eligible for coverage under PhilHealth’s Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Program.
Government-Funded Premiums
Under RA No. 11861, the national government will cover PhilHealth contributions for qualified solo parents. However, employed solo parents will share premium contributions with their employers.
“The Universal Health Care Act mandates a gradual increase in contributions, which is included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). Until additional funding is available, employed solo parents may still need to contribute their share,” Soriano explained.
Additional Support for Solo Parents
Per Article XV, Section 57 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are tasked with identifying funding sources and establishing mechanisms for providing additional benefits to solo parents within six months to a year. (OTB/ADS/PIA Region 2)
