Coverage of Foster Child as Qualified Dependent

July 28, 2014

PHILHEALTH CIRCULAR NO. 019-14

 

I. Rationale

Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 10165, s. 2012, An Act to Strengthen and Propagate Foster Care and to Provide Funds Therefor, also known as the Foster Care Act of 2012, and in line with the proper implementation of Republic Act 10606 or the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) aims to cover under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) all foster children as qualified dependents of foster parents duly licensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide foster care.

II. Coverage

This circular covers the entitlement to NHIP benefits of any foster child as qualified dependent of foster parent/s, valid until whichever information or situation has become available and applicable: 1) the last day of the validity date of the Foster Family Care License, or 2) until the expiration of the Foster Placement Authority (FPA), or 3) until the foster child's return to his/her biological parents, or until 4) the child has been placed for adoption.

III. General Provisions

1. All foster children including those abandoned, surrendered, neglected, orphaned, abused, exploited, subjected to difficult circumstances like calamities and armed conflict, and with special needs, who have been under the custody of the DSWD shall be accepted qualified dependents of PhilHealth members who become licensed foster parents.

2. All PhilHealth members who become licensed foster parents shall be required to submit the Foster Family Care License and FPA as acceptable supporting documents when declaring a foster child as dependent. Original/certified true copies of said documents shall be presented for validation, if necessary. CTEDSI

3. All licensed foster parent/s who are still non-PhilHealth members, must enroll with PhilHealth and must pay the required premium contribution to ensure the foster child's health insurance benefits as provided for in Article VIII, Rule 22.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Foster Care Act of 2012.

4. All existing rules and regulations for the benefit of the qualified dependents shall also be applied to/enjoyed by the declared foster child dependent.

VI. Effectivity

This Circular shall take effect immediately. A copy thereof shall be deposited with the Office of the National Administrative Register, University of the Philippines Law Center.

Date Signed: July 28, 2014.

 

(SGD.) ALEXANDER A. PADILLAPresident and CEOPhilippine Health Insurance Corporation