In the interest of the service and in order to extend medicare benefits to OFWs and their dependents who were unable to avail of the allowable benefits, the following guidelines are hereby promulgated:

1.         The OFW or his dependent may claim reimbursement of medicare benefits provided he presents a certification from the hospital and physician that medicare benefits were not deducted from hospital bills and were fully paid by him/her.

2.         All other documentary requirements pertinent to the settlement of the claim shall be complied.

3.         Upon receipt of the documents the Medical Care Assistance unit shall process the claim and issue the check in favor of the OFW.

4.         In case of confinement while at jobsite, the OFW shall file his medicare reimbursement within six (6) months from the date of discharge. After the prescription period, the claim shall be denied automatically.

5.         Instead of PHIC Form 2, a medical evaluation report shall be required to facilitate evaluation and processing. Processing of claims shall follow the usual procedure.

6.         In the absence of the duly authenticated MEC, a certification from the Management Information System Division (MISD) shall be accepted.

7.         In cases wherein the MEC is presented to this office, the processors shall authenticate the xerox copy of MEC. This is intended to expedite processing of medicare claims filed by OFWs who are still active member.

For immediate compliance.

Adopted: 04 Oct. 1996.