Prior to entering motherhood, there are a lot of preparations to be done by soon-to-be mamas – may it be for their little one or themselves. From designing the baby’s nook to getting all the necessary baby products, expecting mamas should not only focus on setting up things for their precious one but also they should prioritize adult responsibilities such as utilizing the government benefits they are eligible to claim. Expectant mothers have maternity benefits that are waiting for them right after they give birth to their bundle of joy.
Government benefits and health cards stand as invaluable resources that provide pregnant women with essential support and access to healthcare. These benefits and health cards play a crucial role in ensuring their well-being and that of their unborn children. A wide range of benefits are available to provide comprehensive healthcare support, alleviate financial burdens, and even empower mamas-to-be to access medical services they would need.
Here in the Philippines, many may find accessing quality healthcare challenging due to financial reasons. This is where government and maternity benefits for pregnant women come in as these privileges act as safety nets, enabling expecting mothers to receive prenatal care, and assistance before, during, and after childbirth. This article delves into the different benefits and cards, its significance or pivotal role in maternal and infant health, and government laws and regulations in the country that are designed to protect expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.
Republic Act No. 11210 or Maternity Leave for Pregnant Women
The carrying of the baby, giving birth itself, and post-pregnancy recovery are all serious matters for a mama. As the before, during, and after phases of pregnancy all require rest and time to focus on the process, it’s best for mamas to know one of the most needed maternity benefits of them all – maternity leave.
Through the maternity leave law in the Philippines of Republic Act No. 11210, mamas can have one hundred five (105) days of maternity leave with full pay. This comes with an option to extend for an additional thirty (30) days without pay but the employee must notify the employer in writing at least forty-five (45) days before the end of the maternity leave. In instances of medical emergencies, prior notice is not required but subsequent notice to the employer must be provided. The leave is applicable for female workers “in every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy regardless of frequency”. It should still be noted that sixty (60) days maternity leave with full pay shall be granted for miscarriage and emergency termination of pregnancy.
To be more specific on who’s entitled with taking a maternity leave, according to Section 3 of the Republic Act No. 11210, all female workers in both government and private sectors, including those who are in the informal economy, are entitled to the full one hundred five (105) days of maternity leave. For those individuals who qualify as solo parents under the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act, an extra 15 days of maternity leave with full pay is granted. This maternity leave must be taken continuously either before or after childbirth, not exceeding 105 days. Maternity leave is applicable for pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency pregnancy termination, regardless of the frequency.
Over the years, the maternity leave law in the Philippines has been significantly improved to further provide support for women during pregnancy up to childbirth. Availing this benefit was previously limited to a maximum of four (4) pregnancies, however, all eligible women can now avail maternity leave with each pregnancy. This 105-day leave offers 100 percent of the average daily salary credit, regardless of how the delivery type would be. Mamas can also apply for a leave extension of up to 30 days of unpaid leave should they need more time to recover from pregnancy. Moreover, aside from the aforementioned Solo Parents’ Welfare Act where an extra 15 days of maternity leave with full pay is given, there is also another act – this time for fathers or their husbands. The Paternity Leave Act of 1996, when married to expectant mothers, has a 7-day paternity leave that they can avail. Interestingly, women can flexibly allocate seven (7) days of their maternity leave to their partner, spouse, or another caregiver up to the 4th level of consanguinity. Should this be given to fathers, they can have up to 14 days of paid leave to support mamas who recently went through childbirth. These changes in maternity and paternity leave policies in the Philippines underscore the country's commitment to enhancing family well-being and gender equality.
Maternity Benefits – SSS and PhilHealth
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, all female workers are entitled to take maternity leave. What expectant mothers need to know is that on top of the leave itself are maternity benefits that are up for claiming. In the next paragraphs, we will focus on the said maternity benefits being offered by the Social Security System (SSS) and PhilHealth.
Social Security System (SSS) Maternity Benefits
The SSS Maternity Benefit provides daily monetary support to eligible female members who are unable to work due to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy, which also includes cases of stillbirth. To expound more regarding eligibility, below are the conditions in order for expecting mamas to be able claim their maternity benefits from SSS:
- Should notify the upper management – employer (for private workers), the agency head (for government employees), or directly inform the SSS through the My.SSS portal or SSS Mobile App (for OFWs, self-employed, and unemployed members) – regarding their pregnancy. This requires providing evidence of pregnancy such as an ultrasound report, medical certificate, or pregnancy test.
- If the concerning individual is separated from employment, a self-employed or voluntary member including OFW member, she must inform SSS directly
The maternity benefits being shouldered by SSS is the up to 105 days of paid leaves which was made possible by the aforementioned Expanded Maternity Care Leave or Republic Act 11210. Based from the SSS website, below is the maternity benefit computation:
The amount of the member's daily Maternity Benefit allowance is equivalent to the Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC).
ASDC = Average MSC ÷ 180
x 60 days for miscarriage/emergency termination of pregnancy
x 105 days for live childbirth (normal or cesarean section delivery)
x 120 days for solo parent under R.A. 8972 (Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000 – 105 + 15 days)
For eligible expecting mothers to get this maternity benefit, their employer must provide the complete maternity benefit within 30 days from the time they applied for maternity leave. Subsequently, the SSS will compensate the employer for the entire sum they disbursed. In the case that the individual is self-employed or a voluntary member, the SSS will directly provide the benefit amount. Also, soon-to-be mamas should take note that they can file for SSS Maternity Benefit online by logging in to their My.SSS member account.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Maternity Benefits
According to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11210, female workers who are neither voluntary nor regular members of the SSS shall be governed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Circular No. 022-2014 or the "Social Health Insurance Coverage and Benefits for Women About to Give Birth". The PhilHealth maternity benefits pertains to the social health insurance coverage for pregnant women who are about to give birth. It consists of financial support to complete essential medical services they would be needing throughout their pregnancy journey.
Based on PhilHealth Circular No. 2022-0013, all Filipinos (including those with dual citizenship or naturalized individuals) can get PhilHealth benefits because of the Universal Health Care Act. Below are some conditions that should be met to be eligible in claiming maternity benefits from PhilHealth:
- Must have not used the 45-day regular benefit limit
- Recently admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited facility (for not less than 24 hours)
- Checked and assisted by a PhilHealth-accredited doctor
It must be noted that according to the Universal Health Care Act, PhilHealth members can still get maternity benefits even if they don't regularly pay their monthly premiums, as long as they have paid the required minimum number of contributions.
There is a variety of packages that can be availed by expecting mother from PhilHealth such as Maternity Care Package (MCP), Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD) Package, or Antenatal Care Package (ACP) – in which the type of delivery (cesarean or normal delivery) as well as the type of location or hospital are factors to consider when choosing the right package (Reganit, 2023). Other than that, there is also a Newborn Care Package. Here’s a description on the inclusions of the said packages:
- Maternity Care Package (MCP)
The Maternity Care Package (MCP) is a beneficial program that provides comprehensive essential healthcare services for expectant mothers who undergo normal delivery and give birth in hospitals, maternity clinics, lying-in clinics, infirmaries, dispensaries, and birthing homes. This can be availed in hospitals for a case rate of PHP 6,500. Meanwhile, a case rate of PHP 8,000 for the rest of the aforementioned facilities. The following are included in this package:
- Prenatal care
- Essential health care services during antenatal period, stages of labor, normal delivery, and immediate postpartum period
- Includes follow-up visits within 72 hours and one week after delivery
- Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD)
The Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD) package covers the different essential health services should they have normal low risk vaginal deliveries. Mamas can have a postpartum follow up check up within 3-7 days after giving birth.
- Antenatal Care Package (ACP)
The Antenatal Care Package (ACP) includes the prenatal consultation as well as essential health services for expecting mamas.
- Newborn Care Package
The Newborn Care Package is offered by PhilHealth which amounts to a total of PHP 2,950 and includes the following tests conducted to the newborn within their first hours of life:
- Newborn care supplies and essentials (vitamins, eye ointment, vaccines for hepatitis B and BCG)
- Newborn screening test
- Newborn hearing screening test
- Attending physician’s fee
With all these available packages from PhilHealth, expectant mamas may now ask on how to avail these maternity benefits. Here’s what you have to do to successfully file or avail for a PhilHealth Maternity Benefit:
1. Be a PhilHealth Member first. If you’re a soon-to-be mama already and have not yet registered for a PhilHealth membership, you can file your membership by sending your accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) via email or submitting it to any PhilHealth branch through their dropbox system.
How to send your PMRF online via email:
- Download and fill out the PhilHealth Member Registration Form. You may save it in either PDF or JPEG format.
- .
- As an email subject, follow this format: Register<space>Name<space>City/Province/Region
After all of these, your PhilHealth number will be sent to your registered email address. Waiting time is usually three to five working days.
2. Go to a designated PhilHealth desk in your chosen healthcare facility. You may avail the maternity benefits or packages on the first day of confinement by visiting the helpdesk of PhilHealth inside accredited hospitals or clinics. Make sure to have a Valid ID or your PhilHealth ID, your Member Data Record, and also PhilHealth CF1 (Claim Form) and CSF (Claim Signature Form) that will be provided, authorized, and signed by your employer.
Maximizing Your Rights and Government Benefits
The journey to becoming a mama is definitely not easy. It’s important to look after both your health and your baby’s well being. Agencies like SSS and PhilHealth offer maternity benefits that will help you during this challenging time. To make sure you can maximize and avail these benefits, make sure that you allot time to settle your membership or check if your contributions are up to date. You can also ask for a Member Data Record (MDR) from PhilHealth and a Static Information Sheet from the SSS which will be useful in the long run. Moreover, keep an eye on your contributions to make sure your employer is paying them correctly. By doing these things, you're making sure you have extra support and care when you need it most – during pregnancy and after your baby is born. We know you can do it, mamas! You got this!
