DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 26 (PIA) -- Officials from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) are reviewing its existing programs and services for possible improvements in view of the increase in premium contribution payments from its members.

“What I heard is that they are reviewing the benefits given especially the case rates. Hopefully naa siya (it will lead to some) changes and it will bring good to the members,” PhilHealth Negros Oriental Branch Manager Marites Que said in response to a question raised during the Kapihan sa PIA forum held July 26. 

Que was asked about the possible improvements in the agency’s services and healthcare packages following its move to implement higher premium contribution rates this year, as mandated by the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law.

Although PhilHealth officials have yet to decide on the enhancements in their services, Que said members can already avail of the agency’s expanded primary care benefits such as the Konsulta program.

Under the Konsulta or “Konsultang Sulit at Tama” Program, members can avail of the comprehensive outpatient services from Philhealth-accredited health service facilities.

“These are basic laboratory like fasting blood sugar, ECG. It’s more of a general check-up every year. All you have to do is to register to a certain facility accredited by Philhealth,” Que said.

She also shared that the increase in payment contributions will also fund additional services of the agency such as outpatient therapeutic care, severe acute malnutrition treatment, outpatient package for mental health, and COVID-19 benefit package to include coverage of isolation rooms and community isolation units.

Que hopes that PhilHealth members will continue to pay their contributions diligently.

The agency is directed to implement gradual adjustments in the rate of payment contributions under the UHC Law to meet the government’s objective to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to the Filipino people.

PhilHealth Negros Oriental Social Insurance Assistant Julie Ann Fabe said the agency has started in 2019 with 2.75% adjustment, 3% in 2020, and 4% by June this year.

PhilHealth did not implement any adjustment in 2021 following former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s order to postpone the implementation of the adjustment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fabe said PhilHealth is only allowed to collect up until 5% premium adjustment from a person’s basic salary (for those employed in the formal sector). (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)