I AM devoting this week’s column to several queries I received in the e-mail. Here are some of them:

From Mr. Miguel Guerrero (migueltxt1999@yahoo.com) who is having a hard time getting his MDR updated for his claim relative to his mother’s hospitalization:

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Ideally, it is your employer (the Human Resource Department or Accounting Section depending on who really performs the benefits assistance work in your company) who should do this for you. But if you really need to hasten things up, then you may proceed by submitting the following to the PhilHealth office nearest you to update your MDR: duly accomplished PhilHealth Form M2 (data amendment form) indicating therein the name of your new employer; and ER2 Form (list of employee members) wherein your name is clearly indicated therein. Ask your employer to provide you with this form with in duplicate. Upon submission, you will be advised as to when you will receive your updated MDR.

From Ms. Joana Distor (joana.distor@ambergrissolutions.com) who asked how to go about getting their 4,000 plus employees to secure their own PINs.

There are two possibilities that could have caused the non-issuance of PIN to the other half of your employees. One is if their documents are inadequate and needing additional supporting documents (e.g. birth certificates for children etc). Second is if they have not submitted their PIN applications at all.

Since your company is located in Ortigas Center, you may drop by our Members’ Assistance Center at the ground floor of Citystate Centre at 709 Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City so that they can personally assist you and help you generate their PINs.

The use of the PIN is very important in all transactions with PhilHealth especially in the availment of benefits when confined at any accredited hospitals. To secure their PIN, here are the steps:

1. Employees need to fill out M1a form (in duplicate)

2. Attach clear copies of supporting documents if declaring dependents:
Legal spouse – marriage contract
Children below 21 – birth certificate
Parent/s 60 and above – birth certificate of member and parent/s
(Visit our website at www.philhealth.gov.ph for the complete list of supporting documents)

3. Employer to submit the M1a forms, supporting documents and a duly accomplished Er2 (report of employee-members) to PhilHealth.

4. PhilHealth will assign each their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) and sends back the processed documents with printouts of Member Data Records (MDR) and PIN Cards.

From Ms. Emma S.B (emmasb02@yahoo.com.sg) who wanted to know if she can file her claim for her children’s hospitalization in Pampanga in Manila where she works.

To hasten the processing of your claim, we advise you to file your claim with the PhilHealth office that covers the area where your children were hospitalized. If the hospital is in Pampanga then you or your representative may file them with our Region III Office.

From Mr. Felipe Balintag, Jr. (ipeh_jc@yahoo.com) who is an OFW member based in Abu Dhabi. He asked if he can use his PhilHealth benefits for his son’s confinement as soon as he has paid his premium.

Maaari na po ninyong gamitin ang inyong PhilHealth benefits simula sa araw mismo na kayo ay nagbayad ng inyong premium! Para makapag-claim ay magsumite po kayo ng duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 1 at kopya ng inyong Member Data Record kung saan nakasaad ang detalye ng inyong premium payment at naroon ang pangalan ng inyong anak na magpapagamot bilang dependent ninyo.

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Tell me what you think. E-mail me at rbaquino_ssp@philhealth.gov.ph