THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) warns its members to be vigilant in disclosing personal data and information to other people and agency.
Recently, the Corporation has released an advisory on disclosing information after it has received reports about certain lending agencies requesting for PhilHealth data specifically the member’s name and PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) in order to hasten the processing of loan applications. The information gathered is then used to access the records of the members through the Member Inquiry Facility online.
“These clear acts of fraud shall not be tolerated by the Corporation and shall be acted upon accordingly. We highly encourage our members to be very mindful in giving information to other people and agencies. We, in PhilHealth, abide by the Data Privacy Act and are also firm with our policies specially those concerning personal data” said Janet A. Monteverde, Acting Regional Vice President of PhilHealth-6.
In the previous years, PhilHealth has developed several online systems and applications such as the Member Inquiry Facility in the website and the hospital portal to help check and verify members’ and dependents’ data such as but not limited to contribution status, employer information and eligibility.
Also, the Corporation has committed to adhere with the standards and rules of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 in enrolling, encoding and processing members’ and dependents’ data and claims.
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 is an act protecting individual personal information in information and communications system in the government and the private sector. It further protects the fundamental human right of privacy of communications while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.
As such, PhilHealth strongly advices its members to not easily divulge personal data and be extremely cautious in using online facilities and applications requiring sensitive and privileged information. In case of noted violations or suspicious acts, members may immediately report to PhilHealth Regional Office VI at telephone number 5019160 local 204 or email at region6@philhealth.gov.ph or to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO)./PN
