DAVAO CITY (PIA) - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth will not be implementing the 2023 premium rate schedule which originally mandates an increase from 4.0% to 4.5% of the monthly basic salary and the increase of income ceiling from Php 80,000 to Php 90,000.
Thus the current premium rate for this year will still be 4.0% and an income ceiling of Php 80,000
“PhilHealth is one with the decision of PBBM, para maalibyohan nato ang mga members nato na dili malisdan sa panahon na taas gamay ang mga pamaliton sa merkado tungod sa inflation (so it can bring relief to our members so they would not be burdened during this time when prices are increasing in the market because of inflation),” says Filbert Sollesta, division chief field operations of PhilHealth XI said during his recent guesting at the One Davao Presser.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. early this month ordered the suspension of the hike in premium rates and the income ceiling. The President’s directive was affirmed by the PhilHealth board on Jan. 4.
The increase of PhilHealth contributions is mandated through Republic Act 11223 or more known as the Universal Health Care Act. The law aims to provide adequate and affordable healthcare to all Filipinos.
Under the Universal Healthcare Law the PhilHealth premium rate shall increase to increments of 0.5% every year beginning 2021 until it reaches 5% in 2025.
Sollesta said only the order of the President can order the suspension of the premium rate increase.
He said the increase of contributions is on the premise that the benefits of PhilHealth members will also increase.
“That is why last year we implemented the Konsulta program that will provide expanded primary care benefits Filipinos,” Sollesta said.
He added that every Filipino is automatically a member of PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care law.
“We are implementing immediate eligibility which is according to the law all Filipinos will have access to the benefits of PhilHealth.
He said before the passage of the Universal Health Care Law they would usually require members to have premium payments.
“But right now anyone, any Filipino can avail of the benefits of PhilHealth that they will just register in the program,” Sollesta said.
Expanded services under the law include curative health services an example is the Konsulta program, and soon they will be commencing rehabilitative health services such as therapy even mental health is included. “And then palliative health services is also included,” Sollesta said.
Dako kaayo ang pag-expand sa benefits na i-cover sa PhilHealth so that is why we need funds to answer what we need for health services,” Sollesta added. (PIA/RG Alama)
