Tax Notes: Mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior citizens

ON Nov. 5, 2014, President Benigno S. Aquino signed Republic Act (RA) No. 10645 granting automatic, lifetime PhilHealth membership to all senior citizens.

The law makes mandatory the provision of PhilHealth coverage to all Filipinos, 60 years old and above regardless of their social or economic status. This new law amends RA No. 7432 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” by removing the requirement that a senior citizen has to be indigent or poor before he/she could enjoy PhilHealth coverage.

For senior citizens to enjoy the benefits, all they need to do is to present any valid ID that proves their real age.

RA No. 10645 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

(Source: Punongbayan & Araullo)