MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Tuesday that a Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Identification Number (PIN) is not required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or to register for vaccination.
According to DOH, PIN is only required when claiming PhilHealth benefits in cases of adverse events following immunization (AEFI).
“Following the statement of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that a Philhealth Identification Number (PIN) is required for COVID-19 vaccination, the Department of Health (DOH) clarifies that PIN is not a requirement to register for and receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” the DOH said in a statement.
“To ensure Philhealth coverage of Filipinos who are not yet registered to Philhealth in cases of AEFI that need hospitalization, the government will set up registration booths at official vaccination sites to facilitate onsite PhilHealth registration,” it also said.
The health agency further reiterated that under the Universal Health Care Law, all Filipinos, whether direct or indirect contributors, including dependents of contributors, indigent members, senior citizens, and persons with disability, are automatic members of PhilHealth.
DOH issued this clarification after PhilHealth president and chief operating officer Dante Gierran said earlier Tuesday that the requirement for PIN is in line with DOH Memorandum 2021-0099, which prescribes that those who plan to get vaccinated needs to be registered using “unique identifiers,” including PIN.