Hospice and Palliative Care

A. Palliative Care
is a comprehensive approach in improving the quality of life for people who are living with
serious or potentially life-limiting illnesses
its main goals are to relieve the pain, suffering and discomfort associated with an illness
and to reduce patient and family members stress
made up of a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, and social
workers
can be provided in different care settings such as patients home, outpatient palliative care
clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, or other specialized clinics
The team works in collaboration with patients physicians, nurses, and families to provide medical,
emotional, and social support needed to cope with the burdens of serious illness.
Since no two patients are alike, palliative care treatments are tailored to individuals medical needs
and wishes for how they want to be treated physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
Some conditions that may be appropriate to receive palliative care include cancer, congestive
heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers
disease, dementia, liver failure or end-stage kidney disease.
B. Hospice Care
is a specialized type of palliative care for patients suffering from incurable illness or multiple
illnesses with a life expectancy of six months or less
focused on improving quality of life, maintaining dignity, and making patients as comfortable as
possible during the time of stay
made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, trained volunteers, and spiritual advisors
can be provided in the home or in a facility such as a hospital, nursing home, or a dedicated
hospice care facility
Patients entering hospice care understand that their diseases are not responding to medical
treatment.
Patients can choose to leave hospice care at any time if he or she decides that they want to
resume curative treatments. Patients may also leave hospice care if their condition improves.
Retirement Benefits in the Philippines
A. Retirement Pay
Coverage
1. Employees shall be retired upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more but not beyond
sixty-five (65) years old and have served the establishment for at least five (5) years.
2. This benefit applies to all employees except government employees and employees of
retail, service and agricultural establishments/operations regularly employing not more
than ten (10) employees
Amount of Retirement Pay
The minimum retirement pay shall be equivalent to one-half (1/2) month salary for every year of
service, a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one (1) whole year.
In computing retirement pay, one-half month salary shall include the following:
1. Fifteen (15) days salary based on the latest salary rate
2. Cash equivalent of five (5) days of service incentive leave
3. One-twelfth (1/12) of the thirteenth-month pay (1/12 x 365/12 = .083 x 30.41 = 2.5)
Thus, one-half month salary is equivalent to 22.5 days
Example: Retirement Pay = Daily Rate x 22.5 days x number of years in service
Retirement Benefits under a Collective Bargaining Agreement or Applicable Contract
Any employee may retire or be retired by his/her employer upon reaching the retirement age
established in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or other applicable agreement or contract
and shall receive the retirement benefits granted, however, such retirement benefits shall not be less

than the retirement pay required under RA 7641, and provided further that if such retirement benefits
under the agreement are less, the employer shall pay the difference.

Retirement Benefits of Part-time Workers

Part-time workers are also entitled to retirement pay of one-month salary for every year of service
under RA 7641 after satisfying the following conditions precedent for optional retirement:
1. There is no retirement plan between the employer and the employee.
2. The employee should have reached the age of sixty (60) years, and should have rendered at
least five (5) years of service with the employer.
B. Social Security Benefits (RA 1161, as amended by RA 8282)
The Social Security Program provides a package of benefits in the event of death, disability,
sickness, maternity, and old age. Basically, the Social Security System (SSS) provides for a
replacement of income lost on account of the aforementioned contingencies.
Coverage: A private employee, whether permanent or provisional.
Retirement Benefits
cash benefits paid to member who can no longer work due to old age
A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if:
1. Member is 60 years old (optional retirement), separated from employment or ceased to be selfemployed, and has paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement.
2. Member is 65 years old (mandatory retirement), whether employed or not, and has paid at least
120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement.
Dependents Allowance
1. The legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted, and illegitimate children, conceived on or before the
date of retirement of a retiree will each receive dependents' allowance equivalent to 10 percent of
the member's monthly pension, or P250, whichever is higher.
2. Only five minor children, beginning from the youngest, are entitled to the dependents' allowance.
No substitution is allowed.
3. If there are more than five dependents, the legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted children shall
be preferred.
4. The dependents' allowance stops when the child reaches 21 years old, gets married, employed, or
dies. However, the dependents' allowance is granted for life for children who are over 21 years old,
if they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect that is
congenital or acquired during minority.
Benefit Payment
The retiree-member has the option to receive the first 18 months' pension paid out in lump sum,
but discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be determined by the SSS. The member shall start
receiving his pension on the 19th month, and every month thereafter. This option for advance
payment shall be exercised only when filing the first retirement claim.
Death & Funeral Benefits
is a cash paid to the beneficiaries of a deceased member
The primary beneficiaries are the legitimate dependent spouse until he or she remarries and
legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted or illegitimate dependent children of the member. In the
absence of primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries are the dependent parents of the
member. In their absence, the person designated by the member as beneficiary in his/her members
record will be the recipient.
Types of SSS Death & Funeral Benefits
2

1. Lump Sum Amount

is the amount granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less
than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death
If the retiree pensioner dies within sixty (60) months from the start of the monthly pension and
has no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum
benefit equivalent to the total monthly pensions corresponding to the balance of the five-year
guaranteed pension period, excluding the dependents' allowance
2. Monthly Pension
is granted only to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid 36 monthly
contributions before the semester of death
the primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to 100 percent of the monthly pension, and the
dependents to the dependents' allowance
C. GSIS Benefits
The Government Service Insurance System provides a package of benefits in the event of death,
disability, sickness, maternity, and old age.
Coverage: All REGULAR government employees.
Retirement under R.A. 8291
When availing of the retirement program under RA 8291, two things should be considered: age and
the length of service.
To qualify for this retirement mode:
1. The retiree must have rendered at least 15 years of service and must be at least 60 years of age
upon retirement.
2. He /she must not be a permanent total disability pensioner.
GSIS Retirement Options:
Option 1: 5-Year Lump Sum and Old Age Pension
Under this option, the retiree can get his/her five-year worth of pension in advance. The lump sum
is equivalent to 60 months of the Basic Monthly Pension (BMP) payable at the time of retirement.
After five years, the retiree will start receiving his/her monthly pension.
Option 2: Cash payment and Basic Monthly
In option 2, the retiree will receive a Cash Payment equivalent to 18 times the Basic Monthly
Pension (BMP) payable upon retirement and then a monthly pension for life payable immediately
after his retirement date.
GSIS Life Insurance
GSIS gives you and your loved ones that much needed peace of mind and has two insurance
programs available:
1. Enhanced Life Policy is life insurance coverage to all GSIS member, even the very first day you
entered government service after receipt of payment of the 1st monthly premium. If you entered
the government service after July 31, 2003, you are automatically covered with an Enhanced Life
Policy (ELP).
2. Life Endowment Policy is providing protection for you and your loved ones. If you entered the
service prior to August 1, 2003, you are entitled to the Life Endowment Policy (LEP). LEP also
provides coverage against death whether due to natural or accidental causes, permanent total
disability and other benefits upon maturity or separation from the service.
D. PhilHealth Benefits (RA 7875, as amended by RA 9241)
The National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), formerly known as Medicare, is a health
insurance program for members and their dependents whereby subsidize the sick who may find
themselves in need of financial assistance when they get hospitalized. The Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth is the mandated administrator of the Medicare program (now
known as NHIP) under the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.
3

Coverage
1. Employed Members all those employed in the government and private sector.
2. Individually Paying Members self-employed, overseas Filipino workers, professionals in private
practice (doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc.).
3. Non-paying Members the following are entitled to lifetime coverage:
Retirees and pensioners of the GSIS and SSS (including permanent total disability and
survivorship pensioners of the SSS)
Members who have reached the retirement age and have paid at least 120 monthly
contributions
4. Indigent Members under the indigent component of the NHIP.
Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage
All senior citizens shall be covered by the National Health insurance program of PhilHealth. Funds
necessary to ensure the enrollment of all senior citizens not currently covered by all existing category
shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth from proceeds of & Republic
Act No. 10351, in accordance with the pertinent laws and regulations.
Senior Citizen or Elderly - refers to any Filipino citizen who is a resident of the Philippines, and aged
sixty (60) years or above. The term may apply to dual citizens aged 60 years or above provided there
is proof of Filipino citizenship and have at least six (6) months of residency in the Philippines as
provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9994.
Senior citizen who is not currently covered under the NHIP refers to a senior citizen who is:
1. not yet issued with a PhilHealth Identification Number or PIN
2. a member in the formal or informal economy but has no qualifying contributions to be entitled to
the Program benefits
3. not an identified indigent under the National Household Targeting Systems for Poverty Reduction
(NHTS-PR) or Listahanan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
4. not currently a Sponsored Member
5. not yet qualified as a Lifetime member
6. a qualified dependent of an NHIP member who has been declared in PhilHealth's membership
database
Be a Member: There are two ways to enrol as a Senior Citizen member of PhilHealth.
1. Bulk Enrolment
The Local Health Insurance Offices of PhilHealth shall secure an electronic list of senior citizens
from the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of each city and municipality or any Office
designated by the Local Chief Executive. Those who are qualified shall be automatically enrolled.
Their member data records (MDR) and PhilHealth IDs shall be released thru the OSCA or the office
which provided the list.
2. Individual Enrolment
Those who immediately need to avail of the benefits may enrol directly to any PhilHealth office.
They will be required to submit the following:
a. A duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
b. 1 x 1 photo taken within the last six months
c. Senior Citizens Identification Card issued by the OSCA in the city or municipality where the elderly
resides or a valid government issued ID
Declaration of Qualified Dependents
A Senior Citizen member may declare the following as qualified dependents in the PMRF:
1. Legitimate spouse who is not enrolled under the NHIP;
2. Children, legitimate or illegitimate below twenty-one (21) years of age, who is unmarried and
unemployed;
4

3. Child who is twenty-one (21) years of age or above but suffering from a congenital disability, either
physical or mental, or any disability that renders him or her totally dependent to the member for
support.
4. Foster child as defined in Republic Act 10165 otherwise known as the "Foster Care Act of 2012.
Premium Contributions
1. The premium contributions of Senior Citizen members shall be sourced from the proceeds of
Republic Act No. 10351 or commonly known as the Sin Tax Law.
2. PhilHealth will send to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) thru the Department of
Health (DOH) a billing statement for the payment of premium contributions of the enrolled senior
citizens on an annual basis.
Benefits and Entitlements
Upon the effectivity of Republic Act No. 10645, Senior Citizen members and their qualified dependents
shall be entitled to the following benefit packages under the NHIP:
1. Inpatient hospital care
2. Day I ambulatory services
3. Special benefits for catastrophic cases referred to as Z-benefits
4. Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (TB-DOTS) package
5. Animal bite package
6. Malaria package
7. Outpatient HIV I AIDS Treatment package
8. Blood transfusion package
9. Maternity and newborn care package
10.Normal spontaneous delivery package
11.Ante-natal care package
12.Benefits for voluntary contraceptive surgical procedures
On January 2015, Senior Citizen members along with the Lifetime Members and those registered as
Kasambahays aged 60 years old and above are also entitled to the Primary Care Benefit Package:
Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya (Tsekap).
In case of the Senior Citizen member's death, the qualified dependents shall only be entitled to the
Program benefits until the expiration of the validity or coverage period of the deceased principal
member.
Availment
In hospitals with installed HCI Portal, Senior Citizens only need to present their senior citizen card,
MDR or any accepted proof of identity and age. The Hospital shall print a PhilHealth Benefit Eligibility
Form (PBEF). A PBEF that says YES means that the patient is entitled to the benefits and shall serve
as a basis for automatic deduction.
In case the hospital has no HCI portal installed, or the PBEF says NO, or the senior citizen was not
able to enrol before discharge, the following should be attached to the usual claim documents:
a. duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF)
b. an acceptable proof of status as a senior citizen, including but not limited to the Senior Citizens'
Identification Card
E. Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
Republic Act No. 9994: An act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further
amending republic act no. 7432, as amended, otherwise known as "an act to maximize the
contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other
purposes.
Privileges for the Senior Citizens
5

1. The grant of Twenty percent (20%) discount and value-added tax (VAT) exemption on:
medicines purchases, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and other essential
medical supplies, accessories and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health
(DOH)
professional fees of attending physician/s in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient
clinics and home health care services
professional fees of licensed professional health providing home health care services as
endorsed by private hospitals or employed through home health care employment agencies
medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all private hospitals, medical
facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health care services, in accordance with the rules and
regulations to be issued by the DOH and PhilHealth
actual fare for land transportation travel in public utility buses (PUBs), public utility jeepneys
(PUJs), taxis, Asian utility vehicles (AUVs), shuttle services and public railways, including Light
Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR)
actual transportation fare for domestic air transport services and sea shipping vessels and the
like, based on the actual fare and advanced booking
utilization of services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation
centers
admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, leisure and
amusement
funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens
2. The grant of a minimum of five percent (5%) discount relative to the monthly utilization of
water and electricity supplied by the public utilities, provided that:
the individual meters for the foregoing utilities are registered in the name of the senior citizen
residing therein
the monthly consumption does not exceed one hundred kilowatt hours (100 kWh) of electricity
and thirty cubic meters (30 m3) of water

the privilege is granted per household regardless of the number of senior citizens residing
therein
3. Exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs.
4. Free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, x-rays,
computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all government facilities.
5. Free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease for indigent senior citizen
patients.
6. Educational assistance to senior citizens to pursue pot secondary, tertiary, post tertiary,
vocational and technical education, as well as short-term courses for retooling in both public and
private schools through provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsides and other
incentives to qualified senior citizens, including support for books, learning materials, and uniform
allowances, to the extent feasible provided that the senior citizens shall meet minimum admission
requirements.
7. The government may grant special discounts in special programs for senior citizens on purchase
of basic commodities, subject to the guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
8. Express lanes for senior citizens in all commercial and government establishments; in the absence
thereof, priority shall be given to them.
9. Death benefit assistance of a minimum of Two thousand pesos (Php2, 000.00) shall be given to the
nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen which amount shall be subject to
adjustments due to inflation in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DSWD.
In the availment of the privileges mentioned above, the senior citizen, or his/her duly authorized
representative, may submit as proof of his/her entitled thereto any of the following:
1. an identification card issued by the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of the place where
the senior citizen resides: Provided, That the identification card issued by the particular OSCA shall
be honored nationwide
6

2. the passport of the senior citizen concerned

3. other documents that establish that the senior citizen is a citizen of the Republic and is at least
sixty (60) years of age as further provided in the implementing rules and regulations
Additional Government Assistance
1. Social Pension
Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to Five hundred pesos
(Php500.00) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens, subject to a
review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the DSWD. Starting this year 2015,
indigent senior citizens aged 65 and above will now receive the Social Pension. Originally, only senior
citizens aged 77 and above received the pension.
Indigent Senior Citizen refers to any elderly who is frail, sickly or with disability, and without
pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to
support his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and development
(DSWD) in consultation with the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board.
2. Social Safety Needs
Social safety assistance intended to cushion the effects of economics shocks; disasters and calamities
shall be available for senior citizens. The social safety assistance which shall include, but not limited
to, food, medicines, and financial assistance for domicile repair, shall be sourced from the
disaster/calamity funds of LGUs where the senior citizens reside, subject to the guidelines to be issued
by the DSWD.