THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is set to discuss today effects of an order of President Marcos Jr to suspend an increase in membership contribution rates for this year.
Among items in the agenda of the PhilHealth board meeting today is the effect of the suspension on the expansion of benefits in accordance with the Universal Health Care Act.
“Changes in premium schedules will also be synched with planned benefit roll-outs,” PhilHealth said in a joint statement with the Department of Health.
As provided in the Universal Health Care Act, the increase in premium rate started in 2020 at 3 percent. It was supposed to be followed by a hike to 3.5 percent in 2021, to 4 percent in 2022, to 4.5 percent in 2023, and to 5 percent by 2024.
In 2021, PhilHealth suspended the rate hike of 3.5 percent from 3 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2022, PhilHealth implemented a raise in the contributions to 4 percent.
Had the 2023 hike not been suspended, the monthly contributions of members would have increased to P450 from P400 for those earning P10,000 a month.
later “to properly guide the members and employers”.
Malacañang on Monday announced the suspension of the premium rate hike to provide financial relief to economically challenged Filipinos due to difficulties faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
PhilHealth and the DOH said they recognize that the suspension is “intended to help our kababayans cope with the increasing prices of commodities caused by inflation.”
Sen. Christopher Go, chairman of the committee on health and demography, said the suspension will not affect PhilHealth’s programs and services to members because the Senate has successfully pushed for the allocation of P79 billion for the state insurer under the 2023 national budget.
Aside from the P79 billion, Go said the Senate has allocated another P21.17 billion for benefit package improvements for specific use for dialysis coverage, mental health outpatient coverage, Z-Benefit package, severe acute malnutrition, all case rate, rationalization of select medical and surgical procedures, and implementation of the comprehensive outpatient benefit package.
He said the additional amount also covers free consultation fees, laboratory tests, other diagnostic services, outpatient drug benefit, and emergency medical services.
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) welcomed the suspension.
FFW president Sonny Matula said it spared workers of the additional burden amid high prices of basic commodities and services.
“Though not that big as this is a light relief for employers and workers as we usher in 2023, it is still a welcome development,” he added.
Matula said a worker earning P20,000 monthly will see his/her contribution increase to P900 from P800 had the rate increase pushed through.
The monthly contribution, though, is divided between the employer and the employee.
“Thus, the moratorium will save both parties P100, with the worker saving P50 from it,” said Matula.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the increase can be implemented once the country’s inflation rate reaches “a more comfortable level.”
Citing reports from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Zubiri said the inflation was placed at 8 percent in November last year, which puts the year-to-date inflation rate at 5.6 percent, which is beyond the 2 to 4 percent target range. — With Raymond Africa
