The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Thursday reiterated its commitment to provide financial relief to Filipinos in light of socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic as it proposed to implement steady incremental increases in its premium contribution schedule to give time for Filipinos to adjust.
PhilHealth had already previously affirmed compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s order to suspend this year’s premium rate increase from 4.0% to 4.5% and income ceiling increase from P80,000 to P90,000.
PhilHealth is also weighing proposals on setting fixed premium rates for some member categories especially in view of the guiding principles of the National Health Insurance Program on Equity and Social Solidarity – particularly on risk sharing among all income groups.
“Sineseguro po ng PhilHealth na patuloy ninyo kaming magiging kaakibat sa pagsulong ng kalusugan para sa lahat. Ngayong taon at sa mga susunod pa ay makakaasa po kayo sa patuloy na bagong benepisyong malawakan para sa mamamayang Pilipino,” PhilHealth acting president and chief executive officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.
Ledesma said that with the suspension in this year’s increase, the premium rate remains at 4% with income ceiling of P80,000.
“A separate Advisory will be issued to provide the guidelines implementing the said directive particularly for the direct contributors,” he said.
Meanwhile, during the Senate Committee on Health deliberations on amending Republic Act No.11223 or the UHC Act, specifically on premium contributions, Ledesma said PhilHealth is also weighing proposals on setting fixed premium rates for some member categories especially in view of the guiding principles of the National Health Insurance Program on Equity and Social Solidarity – particularly on risk sharing among all income groups.
“These are just some of the provisions that PhilHealth is presently reviewing as it looks into improving the law,” he said.
“Regardless, we would like to assure the Committee that PhilHealth wants nothing but to serve the Filipino with benefits that are of quality, responsive, and equitable in support of achieving the goals of universal health care in this country. We continue to call for your support in Congress and enjoin everyone to help PhilHealth be the program that we aim and envision it to be,” the PhilHealth chief added.
