Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced on Monday that it does not require healthcare professionals (HCProfs) to pay accreditation fees when applying for accreditation.
According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth's recent public advisory highlighted the requirements for HCProfs' accreditation, as outlined in Circular No. 2023-0024. The circular specifies that all accredited HCProfs must be registered members of PhilHealth and should have paid at least one month of premium contribution at the time of their application. For private practitioners or those not formally employed with outstanding premium contributions, referrals will be made to the Collection Section of Local Health Insurance Offices or PROs for necessary action.
Accredited professionals under PhilHealth include physicians, nurses, dentists, and midwives. PhilHealth further explained that employed professionals are exempt from submitting proof of contributions since their employers manage these. Additionally, settling missed contributions is not mandatory for accreditation, as existing guidelines cover these payment lapses.
However, PhilHealth advises self-employed or non-formally employed HCProfs to maintain regular premium payments to avoid accruing interest on any missed payments. Professionals opting to pay the maximum premium contribution are exempt from submitting income proof, such as income tax returns. For those not choosing the maximum rate, PhilHealth will use the member registration form with a self-declaration of income to calculate monthly contributions.
