Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
| Company type | Government-owned and controlled corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance |
| Founded | February 5, 1915 February 5, 1995 |
| Headquarters | Citystate Centre, 709 Shaw Boulevard, Oranbo, Pasig |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Hon. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa (Chairman) Edwin M. Mercado (President and CEO) |
| Services | Health insurance, Universal health coverage |
| ₱148.3 billion (2022) | |
| Owner | Department of Health |
| Website | www |
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is a tax-exempt, government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) of the Philippines that provides health insurance to the country. It was created on 1995 to implement universal health coverage in the Philippines, and is attached to the Department of Health. On August 4, 1969, Republic Act 6111 or the Philippine Medical Care Act of 1969 was signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and implemented in August 1971.
Its stated goal is to "ensure a sustainable national health insurance program for all", according to the company. In 2010, it claimed to have achieved "universal" coverage at 86% of the population, although the 2008 National Demographic Health Survey showed that only 38 percent of respondents were aware of at least one household member being enrolled in PhilHealth. Nevertheless, this social insurance program provides a means for the healthy to pay for the care of the sick and for those who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot.
The system works by having individuals who can afford to pay health insurance pay either monthly, quarterly, or yearly premiums to PhilHealth for their health insurance. The amount they pay is based on their employment status and salary. Individuals who cannot afford the premium such as indigents are subsidised by either the national or their local governments.