AMID opposition from the public including employers, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) yesterday defended the hike in its premium rate next month.
In a briefing, PhilHealth corporate communications manager Rey Balena said the increase in premium rate to 4.5 percent from 4 percent is mandated by the Universal Health Care Law which aims to give Filipinos “adequate access to medical services and financial protection.”
“This began in 2019 and the gradual adjustment in the premium contribution will continue,” he added.
Balena said PhilHealth contributions can be considered an “investment” for the health of members and their families.
“Once we need to get hospitalized, we have benefits to rely on. These have been proven to be big help to our members,” he said.
As for the state insurer, Balena said, the contributions are needed to enhance benefit packages including the expanded primary care benefit package, outpatient package for mental health, continuing COVID-19 benefit package, and comprehensive outpatient benefits
“The guarantee of the Universal Health Care Law is that the benefits will not regress, but just continue to expand and improve,” he said.
“That is where your contributions will go as they are gradually adjusted until 2024,” he added Balena.
The increase to 4.5 percent in January means members earning P10,000 a month will contribute P450 instead of P400.
Several groups including the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) are asking for the postponement of the increased premium because of difficulties brought by the pandemic.
