WHO ARE CONSIDERED SENIOR CITIZENS?
Senior Citizen refers to any Filipino citizen who is a resident of the Philippines, and who is sixty (60) years old or above. It may apply to senior citizens with “dual citizenship” status provided they prove their Filipino citizenship and have at least six (6) months residency in the Philippines.
OSCA-ISSUED SENIOR CITIZEN’S IDENTIFICATION CARD –
For the availment of benefits and privileges, the senior citizen, or his/her duly authorized representative, shall present as proof of eligibility, a valid and original Senior Citizen’s Identification Card issued by the Head of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) of the place where the senior citizen resides, and which shall be honored nationwide.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS –
The 20% discount and VAT exemption shall also apply to purchases of goods and services by senior citizens paying through credit cards.
In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discount, the senior citizen can avail of the establishment’s offered discount or the 20% discount provided herein, whichever is higher and more favorable.
In cases where the senior citizen is also a person with disability (PWD) entitled to a 20% discount under his/her/ valid PWD identification card (ID), the senior citizen shall use either his/her OSCA-issued ID card or PWD ID card to avail of the 20% discount.
WHAT ARE THE MEDICAL-RELATED PRIVILEGES FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS? ( Sec 6 of RR No. 7-2010)
(A.) MEDICINE AND DRUG PURCHASES
The 20% discount and VAT exemption shall apply to the purchase of generic or branded medicines and drugs by or for senior citizens, including the purchase of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. The 20% discount and VAT exemption shall also be granted to the purchase of vitamins and mineral supplements which are medically prescribed by an attending physician for prevention and treatment of diseases, illness, or injury whose prescription is in the name of the senior citizen.
(B.) ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES, ACCESSORIES, AND EQUIPMENT
The 20% discount and VAT exemption shall also apply to the purchase of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetics, artificial bone replacements like steel, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs whether manual or electric-powered, canes/quad canes, geriatric diapers, and other essential medical supplies, accessories, and equipment by or for senior citizens.
(C.) MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES IN PRIVATE FACILITIES
Medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory tests such as but not limited to x-rays, computerized tomography scans, and blood tests, that are requested by a physician as necessary for the diagnosis and/or treatment of an illness or injury are subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption.
(D.) PROFESSIONAL FEES OF ATTENDING PHYSICIAN/s in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care facilities shall be subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption.
(E.) PROFESSIONAL FEES OF LICENSED HEALTH WORKERS PROVIDING HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES as endorsed by private hospitals or employed through health care employment agencies are entitled to the 20% discount and VAT exemption. The burden of the discount shall be borne solely by the employment agency given the health worker’s very minimal share compared to the agency fee.