Section 12(b), Article III of Republic Act 7875 states that members who have reached the age of retirement as provided for by law and have paid at least 120 monthly contributions need not pay the monthly contributions to be entitled to benefits under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). As such, retiring employees in the government and private sectors who meet these conditions must be enrolled into the Lifetime Member Program and their enrollment must be facilitated by their employers at least three (3) months prior to the date of retirement.

The application for LMP shall be filed with PhilHealth as soon as the employee ™s retirement application has been approved by the employer. The employer ™s Human Resource Management Office, through its authorized representative, shall ensure that the following documents are forwarded to PhilHealth for processing: 

1. Two (2) copies, duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
2. Two (2) pieces, 1 x1  recent photograph of member
3. Photocopy of the following documents, duly certified by the employer:

a. Birth certificate of the retiring employee (if none, any two of the documents listed at the back of PMRF)
b. Approved retirement applications; and
c. (For private ector) Employer certification indicating that the retiring employee is employed in their company for the last ten (10) years and that the corresponding PhilHealth premium contributions were deducted and remitted every month during the period. Leave of absences without pay must be indicated, if any.
d. (For government sector) Duly signed Service Record indicating the creditable service prior to the date of retirement. Leave of absences without pay must be indicated, if any; and Employer Certification indicating history of PhilHealth monthly premium contributions with corresponding official receipt numbers for payments made while in service.

In case the retiring member lacks the required 120 monthly premium contributions but has reached the retirement age, the contributions made with his previous employer/s, or as member of any of the other PhilHealth program categories shall be included in the computation of the required contributions. Proofs of payments made or a certification of premium contributions with corresponding OR numbers must be submitted.

On the other hand, retiring members who have completed the 120 monthly contributions but have not reached the age of retirement shall be advised to continue their membership coverage as Individually Paying Members until they reach the age of retirement, after which they can enroll into the LMP.

The employer ™s authorized representative shall submit the application documents to the nearest PhilHealth Regional, Service or Branch Office in their locality. Once the documents are validated, the retiring member shall be issued his Lifetime Member ID card and Member Data Record (MDR). The employer ™s authorized representative must similarly ensure that the ID card and MDR are released to the retiring member on or before the last day of his/her service to the agency.

This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) DR. REY B. AQUINO
  President and CEO