PhilHealth makes check encashment easy
To hasten and do away with additional and unnecessary expense, replacement of staled checks and checks whose payee is either deceased or an OFW working abroad can now be directly encashed by the rightful claimant. This is a new way of addressing the problem of check replacement that usually cause burden on both the members and PhilHealth itself.
Before, a member has to file a request for check replacement and has to wait for days, but under the new scheme one has to fill out an encashment form and submit appropriate supporting documents. The claim stub serves as basis for release of claim.
As measure, this is initially allowed only for check due for replacement wherein the amount is P1,000 and below, and for reason that the check is staled, its payee is deceased or OFW who is abroad, and check which either be mutilated and has a typographical error.
According to Jejien Rose Chu, Head of Fund Management Section encashment should only apply to PhRO VI issued checks with LBP Iznart Branch’s drawee Bank. Lost checks and all other issued checks by the Regional Office regardless of the amount shall be forwarded to the Controllership Unit for the standard process.
It is observed that checks are staled when the corresponding payee cannot beat the six- month validity period for reason that it failed or receive the notice to claim late though such notice is promptly being mailed by PhilHealth. Certain reason cited is the payee-member duly authorized representative claimant cannot provide proper supporting documents.
“It happened that there was a purported rightful claimant and presented authorization letter signed by the member but in reality a spurious one,” Cashiering Unit Head James Diamansil narrated. The fraud was known only after the apprehension of two claimants in a hospital and consequently convicted for pleading guilty. “As much as we wanted to provide immediate service, we have to be vigilantly prudent with our responsibility to ensure that PhilHealth benefits really go to the members,” he emphasized
One factor that caused the non-delivery of check is the addressee that cannot be easily located by the courier so it had the checks returned to sender if not otherwise. It was in Silay City that the NBI arrested certain postal office staff after an entrapment proceeding. Persons involved reported to encash the checks and gave the cash equivalent if ever a claimant know and claim their check.
PhilHealth still has to mail notification letters for checks amounting to above P500 for members to claim in the Service Office which has jurisdiction over the place while check P500 and below is continuously being mailed to the member.
As to deceased payee, the check could not be in the name of the deceased-member when the requirements for the new payee are completely attached upon submission of claim.
Under the new policy, spouses and immediate family members of OFWs who are outside of the country can now claim but they are deemed to comply with the necessary legal requirements.
PhilHealth Regional Office (PhRO VI) conceived and first to implement this innovation that took effect last April 30, 2009 issued through Regional Memorandum Order by Regional Vice President Alberto C. Manduriao. (Larry T. Tabsing)