This post is based on my experience in reimbursing my Philhealth benefits. I was able to reimburse twice and will be reiumbursing again in the next months. Since maternity benefits are not included in our company’s current health card, I have to pay the hospital bills in full. I can opt to have Philhealth deducted when paying the bills but I prefer to reimburse it because the amount I can get is more than having it deducted outright.

How to reimburse from Philhealth?

Here are the requirements before one can reimburse (from the website):

• Payment of at least three monthly premiums within the immediate six months prior to confinement.
• Confinement in an accredited hospital for at least 24 hours (except when availing of outpatient care and special packages) due to an illness or disease requiring hospitalization. Attending physicians must also be PhilHealth-accredited.
• Availment is within the 45 days allowance for room and board.

The following must be submitted to any PhilHealth office within 60 calendar days after being discharged from the hospital:

• Updated Member Data Record (MDR) or Philhealth ID – the MDR can be obtained from your company’s HR any PhilHealth office
• PhilHealth Claim Form 1 – for employed individuals signed by the company
• PhilHealth Claim Form 2 – to be filled up by the hospital and attending physicians
• Official receipt of the bills you have paid issued by the hospital
• Official receipt from your doctor for the fee if it isn’t included in the hospital bills
• Medical Records if operation or other medical procedures were performed

The cheque will be sent via snail mail at the address in your PhilHealth record, but expect it to be at least a month before it arrives. The first time I reimbursed, I received it after three months while I received the cheque after a month for second reimbursement. Also, the amount reimbursed depends on the hospital where you were admitted.