Solo parents now entitled to free PhilHealth coverage

MANILA, Philippines — Single parents are now entitled to free coverage under the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

In Circular 2024-0020, PhilHealth said the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act or Republic Act 11861 provides for automatic inclusion of solo parents and their children to the National Health Insurance Program.

PhilHealth said the solo parent shall be enrolled as principal member under the “indirect contributor” membership type and “solo parent” as subtype.

“A revised PhilHealth membership registration form shall be issued to have the corresponding membership type and subtype for the solo parent,” the agency said.

It noted, though, that “only those with valid solo parent identification card (SPIC) shall be registered or tagged as indirect contributors – solo parent.”

“The applicant shall be advised of the importance of securing first the SPIC from the solo parents office/solo parents division of the concerned local government unit to update their membership record to PhilHealth,” the circular read in part.

Camarines Rep. LRay Villafuerte, who earlier announced the free health service, is the lead author of RA 11861, which expanded the coverage and benefits for single parents and their families.