OWWA, PhilHealth team up to provide additional medical assistance to OFWs

PASAY CITY, JUNE 03 (PIA)--The Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator (OWWA) Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander A. Padilla signed on Thursday, June 2, 2016, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the Supplemental Program for OFWs or MEDplus, a medical assistance program for OFWs that supplements the benefit provided by PhilHealth.

The MEDplus is a one-time financial assistance provided to active OWWA and PhilHealth members who are diagnosed with and subsequently hospitalized due to a dreaded disease whether in the Philippines or in their country of employment.

It matches the benefit granted by PhilHealth to its members under its case rate system but not to exceed fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per member.

Subsequently availments are allowed for the same dreaded disease but not to exceed the limit. OWWA and PhilHealth jointly identified the list of dreaded diseases.

In a press briefing, Calzado said that OFWs whose OWWA membership coverage has already lapsed but are still active PhilHealth members are given additional sixty (60) days coverage upon expiry of OWWA membership validity.

“Under the agreement, OWWA shall implement the program through its 18 Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) throughout the country,” Calzado said.

“RWOs shall accept and process claims, in accordance with the guidelines to be crafted by OWWA and PhilHealth within 60 days upon signing of the MOA,” Calzado added.

PhilHealth shall provide training and access to MyPhilHealth Portal to authorized OWWA personnel for purposes of online verification of PhilHealth benefit payments to its members as it will be the basis of processing MEDplus claims.

“MEDplus is part of OWWA’s commitment to continually develop and implement welfare programs that are responsive to the needs of OFWs and their families,” Calzado said.

The OWWA administrator stressed that the collaboration with the PhilHealth will help member-OFWs further reduce their medical expenses. (PIA-NCR/RJB/SDL)