6M Seniors Soon to Have Lifetime Health Insurance

Manila — More than six million elderly in the country will soon become lifetime members of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

This was announced by PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla during forum held recently on social protection programs for the elderly, an Elderly Filipino Week activity organized by PhilHealth and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The elderly beneficiaries of Philhealth’s Lifetime Member Program (LMP) will be provided coverage for life without paying the premium anymore.

“Our LMP is open to those who have made 120 monthly contributions to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), and have reached the age of retirement,” Padilla said, clarifying however, that those who are still gainfully employed even at age of retirement are not yet eligible under the LMP.

DSWD is supporting Senate Bill No. 712, a measure that would authorize the PhilHealth to cover all senior citizens in the country.

The Bill was approved on third and final reading in the Senate.

During the forum, DSWD, PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) signed a manifest for the promotion of adequate social services and protection for elderly Filipinos.

Also, as part of the EFW celebration, DSWD in partnership with senior citizens’ organizations conducted ‘Dalaw Kalinga’ or visits to more than 1,000 abandoned, sick, and indigent older persons who are currently sheltered in various institutions and jails in the National Capital Region.

“Ang Dalaw Kalinga ay isang paraan para maipadama namin sa aming kapwa senior citizens na nasa mga center at kulungan ang aming pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal sa kanila, kaya ginagawa namin ito taon-taon [Dalaw Kalinga is one way to show our fellow senior citizens in centers and jails our concern and love for them, that’s why we do this every year],” explained Jorge Banal, an active advocate of the senior citizens’ rights and welfare.

The centers and jails visited were the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, Hospicio de San Jose and Missionaries of Charity in Manila, Luwalhati ng Maynila in Marikina City, and Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES) in Quezon City.

Members of senior citizens’ organizations brought gifts for older persons.

The Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated annually from October 1 to 7 pursuant to Proclamation No. 470.

This year’s theme is “Ang Nakatatanda ay Yaman, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan, Pangalagaan Kanilang Kapakanan.” (DSWD)