Philhealth to sell health gift certificates to increase membership

HEALTH gift certificates (GCs) are expected to increase the number of individually paying members of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in Central Visayas (Philhealth-7).

Since December, some companies in Cebu had already availed of about 150 health gift certificates. Almost 80 individually paying members had already redeemed the GCs, said Dr. Ma. Agnes Veronica M. Dizon, Philhealth Chief Social Insurance Officer of Membership on Thursday.

“We were thinking of something unique and different. This (Philhealth GC) is the most convenient way of giving gifts. We conceptualize this for Christmas sana. This (Philhealth GC) is not just an ordinary gift. It’s a health insurance to whoever will receive it.” Dizon said.

According to a statement, the health gift certificates project is a “brain project” of Philhealth-7, which will soon be adopted nationwide as a practical gift item and an investment in health.

Philhealth-7 said that the concept of the Philhealth GC would be like “purchasing insurance coverage for someone or sponsoring the insurance premium of another without actually handing out cash”.

The GC, which can be bought in the membership section of the Philhealth-7 office, is worth P600 of Philhealth premium.

Members can buy the GC and give it to non-members so that they can enrol under the “Individually Paying Program” or give it to existing members so they can pay for their Philhealth contribution.

It’s a good investment, said Jenet Ann A. Advincula, Philhealth Division Chief for Field Operations.

Advincula said the Philhealth GC had no expiration date but members would be encouraged to activate the GC within six months.

She said Philhealth had 1.98 million Philhealth members in Central Visayas./Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell