MANILA -- Malacañang has yet to approve the pending hike for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) premium rate up to five percent, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

In an interview before leaving for Australia on Wednesday, President Marcos said they are still reviewing the proposal, saying there should be additional benefits to all PhilHealth members that come with the price hike.

“It’s under review. What we are trying to determine is that if we are going to increase the contribution from four percent to five percent, anong bawi? It’s really a cause-benefit analysis,” President Marcos said.

The chief executive though acknowledged the state insurer has expanded their benefits over the years.

Among these is the increased dialysis support to three times a week for outpatients, which is equivalent to full weekly coverage.

He also mentioned PhilHealth also increased its coverage for “Case Z conditions” such as cancer.

“PhilHealth has been expanding its services and trying to reach more people, trying to engage more people,” Marcos said.

“So, kung may benepisyo naman, if we can justify the increase then we’ll do it but if not, we won’t. Ganoon lang kasimple ‘yun. It’s just a very straight forward cause-benefit analysis.”

The Republic Act No. 1123 or the Universal Healthcare Act directs the PhilHeallth contribution rate to be raised by 0.5% annually beginning in 2021 and continuing until it reaches 5% from 2024 to 2025.

President Marcos previously suspended the increase in income ceiling and premium rate for 2023. (PND)