THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) recently announced its compensation package for those who, after getting vaccinated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), develop serious adverse effects that will lead to hospitalization, permanent disability or death.
The package and its guidelines are found in PhilHealth Circular 2021-0007 published on June 18, 2021.
In a recent media forum of the Department of Health, the state health insurer said the compensation package is only available to those who received Covid-19 jabs through the Philippine Covid-19 Vaccination Program.
The package is capped at P100,000 for hospitalizations to cover remaining charges after deduction of PhilHealth benefits, mandatory discounts and other coverage provided by private health insurance companies and health management organizations.
A lump sum of P100,000 per beneficiary is provided in case of permanent disability or death.
PhilHealth clarified that it will cover patients who received inoculations through other initiatives, especially in the private sector, if the vaccines were sourced from the country’s vaccination program.
The compensation covers claims filed from March 3, 2021 to March 2, 2026 or until completion of the vaccination program, whichever comes first. Those who avail themselves of this package must have had at least one vaccine received through the said vaccination program.
It must also be established that the vaccine does not have a Certificate of Product Registration at the time of inoculation; the beneficiary has not received compensation from Covax no-fault compensation program; and the result of the causality assessment must be “vaccine product-related reaction” or vaccine quality defect-related reaction.”
Hospitalization benefits can be availed of more than once if the cap of P100,000 has not been reached yet. However, coverage for permanent disability or death can only be claimed once.
Among the requirements for compensation claims for hospitalization are:
* proof of Covid-19 vaccination (vaccine card or slip);
* vaccine injury assessment survey;
* statement of account;
* medical certificate; and
* an official receipt indicating deductions of PhilHealth benefits, private insurers/HMOs, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Other supporting documents such as duly signed physical examination report describing the disabling manifestation or death certificate should also be included for permanent disability and death claims, respectively.
For more information on this compensation package, the public may call PhilHealth’s Action Center Hotline at (02) 8441-7442, post a question and receive a call back at 0921-6300009, or e-mail at actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph. (PR)