The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, reiterated its commitment to provide financial relief to Filipinos in light of socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic as it recognized the need to review the current contribution schedule to make it more affordable to many of its direct contributors.
PhilHealth had previously affirmed compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier directive to suspend this year’s scheduled premium rate of 4.5% and income ceiling of P90,000.
“Siniseguro po ng PhilHealth na patuloy ninyo kaming magiging kabalikat sa pagsulong ng kalusugan para sa lahat. Ngayong taon at sa mga susunod pa ay makakaasa po kayo sa patuloy na pagbuti at paglawak ng mga benepisyo para sa mamamayang Filipino,” PhilHealth Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.
Ledesma remarked 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 hearing on amending Republic Act No.11223 or the UHC Act, specifically on premium contributions, the PhilHealth said it agrees to the proposals of setting fixed premium rates for some member categories.
The Philhealth agrees in the proposal for the fixed rate 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 in support of improving the law,” Ledesma said.
“Regardless, we would like to assure the public that PhilHealth wants nothing but to serve the Filipino with benefits that are of quality, responsive, and equitable in support of achieving Universal Health Care in this country. We continue to call for the support in Congress and enjoin everyone to help PhilHealth be the program that we aim and envision it to be,” the PhilHealth chief added.