PhilHealth’s 3% premium rate, imposition of interests start this month

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has kicked off its three-percent hike from last year’s 2.75 percent premium rate and started charging its direct contributors in accordance to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law of 2019.

With this increase, P25 is added to the member’s monthly contribution. This means a member earning P10,000 will now pay a P300 contribution, instead of P275. It applies to all direct contributors, including employees, household service workers, self-earning individuals, practicing professionals, and overseas Filipino workers.

Income floor is still at P10,000 while the ceiling salary or income is raised from P50,000 to P60,000 per month this year.

Last year, PhilHealth released the new premium contribution schedule per Circular No. 2019-0009 effective Dec. 7 based on the UHC with its implementing rules and regulations signed on Oct. 10. This schedule will help sustain the National Health Insurance Fund to ensure that all Filipinos can immediately avail of benefits during confinement – even those lacking contributions.

In an interview with Panay News, PhilHealth Regional Office 6 public relations officer

Janimhe Jalbuna however gave emphasis on unpaid premiums that contributors still need to settle. She reiterated that there is an imposition of interest compounded monthly and penalties of at least 3-percent a month for employers, seafarers, and house helpers, while self-employed members, professionals, and land-based OFWs will incur a maximum interest of 1.5 percent for every month of missed payments.

“So, we are consistently reminding ang aton mga direct contributors nga magbayad gid sa aton scheduled deadline,” Jalbuna said.

Full implementation of the UHC law is also set for January, less than a year after it was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. The law aims to deliver quality, accessible and affordable health services to all Filipinos, mandating that all citizens be enrolled in PhilHealth. According to the Department of Health, 98 percent of Filipinos are already members of PhilHealth’s National Health Insurance Program./PN