DOH clarifies PhilHealth ID number not required for vaccination vs. COVID-19

The Department of Health on Tuesday clarified that a Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) is not required for COVID-19 vaccination.

This came after PhilHealth earlier said the PIN is a requirement prior to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

PhilHealth president and CEO Dante Gierran said this is in line with the DOH Memorandum 2021-0099, which prescribes among others, that all potential vaccine recipients need to be registered using the unique identifiers and one of which is the vaccinee’s PIN.

In a statement, the DOH said the PIN is only required when claiming PhilHealth benefits in cases of adverse events following immunization.

“To ensure PhilHeath coverage of Filipinos who are not yet registered to PhilHealth in cases of AEFI that need hospitalization, the government will set up registration booths at official vaccination sites to facilitate onsite PhilHealth registration,” the DOH said.

“The DOH further reiterates that under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, all Filipinos, whether direct or indirect contributors, including dependents of contributors, indigent members, senior citizens, and persons with disability, are automatic members of PhilHealth,” it added. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News