Dear Atty. Chris Liquigan,

Atty., I am a person with disability (PWD) and I would just like to ask you if there are additional benefits extended to? Salamat po!

Marie

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Dear Marie,

To answer your query, Section 1 of Republic Act (RA) 11228 (An Act Providing for the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Persons with Disability, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act 7277, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability”) provides:

“Section 1. Title Two, Chapter III of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, is hereby further amended by adding a new section denominated as Section 20-A to read as follows:

“Sec. 20-A. Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage. — All persons with disability (PWDs) shall be automatically covered under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Premium contributions for all PWDs shall be paid by the national government: Provided, That the premium contributions of PWD members in the formal economy shall be shared equally by their employers and the national government. The funds necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth earmarked from the proceeds of Republic Act 10351, otherwise known as ‘An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products by Amending Sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 8, 131 and 288 of Republic Act 8424, Otherwise Known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as Amended by Republic Act 9334, and for Other Purposes,’ in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

“The PhilHealth shall develop exclusive packages for PWDs that will address their specific health and development needs.’” xxx (Emphases supplied)

With reference to the aforementioned, all persons with disability are automatically covered in the National Health Insurance Program of PhilHealth. The national government shall pay for the premium contributions of persons with disability.

However, premium contribution payments of those persons with disability who are working with formal contracts and with fixed terms of employment including persons with disability who work in the government and private sector shall be equally shared by the employers and the national government.

Hope this helps.

Atty. Chris Liquigan