Fresh Graduate Stunned to Find Out She Owes ₱22,000 to PhilHealth
ANDREA BORCELIS – The fresh graduate was shocked to discover that she owed PhilHealth ₱22,000, despite only signing up for membership in June.
PhilHealth, or the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, is a government-run health insurance provider in the Philippines. Its primary purpose is to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to Filipinos, particularly those who may not have the financial means to pay for medical services. PhilHealth is mandated by the government to offer health insurance benefits to citizens through a system of contributions.
Members of PhilHealth—whether employed, self-employed, or part of government programs—pay regular contributions, and in return, they can avail themselves of benefits like medical treatments, hospital care, surgeries, and other health services. The coverage extends to both private and public healthcare providers.
The health insurance provider aims to reduce the financial burden of healthcare costs, ensuring that Filipinos can access medical care without facing overwhelming expenses. It also offers specialized coverage for certain health conditions, such as maternity care, cancer treatment, and chronic illnesses.
Meanwhile, Andrea Borcelis, a fresh graduate was shocked to discover that she owed PhilHealth ₱22,000, despite only signing up for membership in June. Andrea expressed confusion over how she could have accumulated such debt. According to PhilHealth records, she had been a member since 2014, which puzzled her since she was only 12 years old at the time.
Kapuso Action Man, a segment of GMA Integrated News, reached out to the health insurance provider for clarification, and a representative explained that Andrea had been enrolled as an indigent member in 2014 based on a list from the DSWD. They further clarified that her status changed when she applied for voluntary membership. After reviewing her case, it was determined that instead of the ₱22,000 debt, Andrea only needed to pay ₱2,000.