PhilHealth postpones scheduled premium hike

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) postpones the scheduled increase of its members’ contribution this year.

The state insurer made the call after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to forego any increase in members’ monthly contribution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“PhilHealth is one with the President in his effort to ease the burden on many Filipinos being affected by the pandemic,” the state insurer said.

“In response to his directive, PhilHealth will still collect premiums from Direct Contributors using the 3% instead of the 3.5% contributions rate; and the P60,000 instead of the P70,000 ceiling in CY 2020,” it added.

PhilHealth contribution for 2021 of members earning below P10,000 per month was supposed to be P350 a month. Those earning P10,000.01 to P69,999.99 would have to pay P350 to P2,449.99. Meanwhile, the monthly contribution of those earning P70,000 or higher is fixed at P2,450.

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The premium hike was highly criticized by the public as it was to be implemented amid the COVID-19 crisis and after the multi-billion-peso corruption scandal in the agency was exposed. This led to the suspension and filing of charges against some PhilHealth executives.

“This interim arrangement will be good until Congress is able to pass a new law allowing the deferment of the scheduled premium adjustment in the Universal Health Care Act of 2019,” it said.

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PhilHealth postpones scheduled premium hike

“Should there be no new legislation passed for this purpose, the state health insurer will proceed with the scheduled premium rate and ceiling as provided for in the UHC law,” the state insurer said.

Under the UHC law, the contribution rate shall increase to increments of 0.5% every year, starting in 2021 until it becomes 5% in 2025.

“Cognizant of the current fortuitous situation that ravaged so many lives and derailed the economy, PhilHealth will do its part in alleviating the lives of Filipinos especially insofar as their health is concerned,” the state insurer said.

“It commits itself to closely work with both houses of Congress for the most viable whole of government and whole of nation solution pursuant to existing laws,” it said.