I LEFT the country in 2005 to work abroad. Since then, I have already gone back to the Philippines four times for a vacation. The last time I was in Manila was in July of 2008. And every time, I would drop by the POEA headquarters in Ortigas to pay for my OEC and PhilHealth membership. In April and May of 2008, my mother was hospitalized. I sent my PhilHealth ID number to my sister to facilitate the claims. Both claim applications were subsequently denied as we were told by PhilHealth that I was an inactive member. That was ridiculous as I just paid the membership fee in January 2008. We were forced to pay up for the entire hospital bill on both occasions. When I went back to Manila last July 2008, I personally inquired about my membership at the PhilHealth office in POEA. They found out that my payment (made in January 2008) had not been posted due to reasons only they would know.
Fortunately, they were able to reactivate my membership that day. So we re-filed our claim applications along with a cover letter asking for reconsideration for late filing while explaining what happened. We were told to follow up after 2 months. Two months had passed, to our dismay we were told for the second time that both applications were denied as the hospitalization dates were more than 60 days old. My sister had to highlight the cover letter and explanation that was sent along with the applications. Again, we were told to wait for another two months before we get anything. My mother got hospitalized again in New Year’s day and then again 7 days later when she broke her left hip. Until now we’re waiting for PhilHealth to act on our two previous claims. We’re not talking of millions of pesos here.
I might just be getting a couple of thousands after enduring months (or a year) of painfully communicating with this (respectable?) institution. How come any high-ranking officials, like these so-called Euro Generals (what happened to them anyway?!?!!), could easily get millions without any a drop of sweat, while somebody like me, who pays his dues (and remits precious dollars to the delight of my beloved Philippine government), could not be afforded prompt services, whipsawed by life’s trials and this government’s inaction? Is it not proper to rename PhilHealth to Feel Hell? This suggestion might raise some hackles but I do really feel good about it.
Ronald Balanay, Eagan, Minnesota, via e-mail
