The rollout of PhilHealth new benefits scheduled for implementation this year this year might be adjusted following the suspension of the increase in premium rates.
In a radio interview, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. spokesman Rey Baleña said the suspension of the premium rate hike and the raising of the income ceiling to P90,000 would not affect its operations.
“These will not affect the operations of PhilHealth,” he said.
“It is only the new benefits packages that will have a possible adjustment in deployment but the current benefits packages will not have any changes,” he added.
Among the new benefit packages to be implemented this year are the severe acute malnutrition package as well as the outpatient mental health package, according to the PhilHealth official.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the PhilHealth to suspend the increase of its premium rate and income ceiling for 2023.
The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, refers
to the “scheduled increase of the premium rate from 4 percent to 4.5 percent, and income ceiling from P80,000 to P90,000 for CY (Calendar Year) 2023 under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11223.”
“In light of the prevailing socio-economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide financial relief to our countrymen amidst these difficult times, please be informed that the President has directed PhilHealth to suspend the above-mentioned increase in premium rate and income ceiling for CY 2023, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations,” the memorandum read.
Philhealth earlier argued that the impending 4.5-percent increase in premiums would enable the country’s health insurance corporation to sustain the benefits currently enjoyed by its members.
Under the Universal Healthcare (UHC) law, it mandates the increase in member premiums by 0.5 percent every year, starting in 2021 until it reaches its 5-percent limit in 2025.
In 2021, Mr. Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, also postponed the increase in PhilHealth member contributions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.