Health Benefits for Employees in the Philippines

Book IV of the Labor Code of the Philippines covers the entirety of the social welfare, safety and health benefits available to every employee in the Philippines. Take note that the term "employee" denotes to any person legally employed in the Philippines, any person compulsorily covered by the GSIS under the Commonwealth Act 186, or any person compulsorily covered by the SSS under Republic Act 1161 (See: Article 167 Definition of Terms).

Book IV of the Philippine Labor Code is divided into two main titles, which in turn is divided into a number of subchapters. The first title covers mostly on the physical aspect of protecting an employee's health and well being within the workplace. The second title mostly refers to mostly the intangibles that promote the employee's benefits of health and wellbeing.

The contents of Book IV of the Philippine Labor Code are as follows:

Title I: Medical, Dental and Occupational Safety
Chapter I Medical and Dental Services

Article 156, First-aid Treatment
Every workplace, regardless of its nature, should have first-aid medicines and equipment readily available for use as a primary health benefit.

Article 157, Emergency Medical and Dental Services
Every workplace, regardless of its nature, should have free medical and dental facilities plus, a health specialist in attendance, as part of the health care benefit to be enjoyed by the employee.

Article 158, when emergency hospital not required (sic)
The article determines when an emergency hospital or dental clinic should be made available. When there is an access clinic in the workplace and one that can sufficiently meet the requirements for treating a particular injury or disease, emergency hospital is not required.

Article 159, Health Program
The physician employed by the company shall develop and implement a healthcare benefit program to be used for the employees.

Article 160, Qualifications of Health Personnel
The health personnel employed or tasked with the health benefits and welfare of the employees shall pass the qualifications, criteria and conditions of employment as set by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

Article 161, Assistance of Employer
The employer shall provide for the necessary assistance to ensure that the workplace meets the adequate criteria of safety. In cases of emergency, the employer should also provide adequate and immediate medical and dental aid to a sick or injured employee.

Title II: Employees' Compensation and State Insurance Fund

Chapter I, Article 166 details the System's policy. It is stated here that the Government shall promote and develop a tax-exempt employees' compensation program whereby the member employees and/or their dependents may promptly secure adequate financial health benefits and/or medical related health benefits in the event of work-connected disability or death by the member employee.

For information regarding Medical benefits, see: Medical Employee Benefits in the Philippines

For information regarding disability benefits, see: Employee Disability Benefits in the Philippines

For information regarding death benefits, see: Employee Death Benefit in the Philippines

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