PhilHealth extends coverage of LGU-sponsored members

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has extended until March 31, 2012 the health insurance coverage of members under PhilHealth's sponsored program (SP) who were paid for by local government units and/or other sponsors for 2011.

These include around five million poor families identified by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, whose coverage comes with national government funding, said PhilHealth president Dr. Eduardo Banzon.

"The extended validity period does not entail any additional cost to sponsoring LGU," he stressed, adding that he is grateful to the cooperation extended by local chief executives like Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. "for ensuring that our fellowmen, especially those who are less privileged, are adequately provided with access to quality health care services."

Banzon earlier met with Marañon and other local mayors following questions on the new premium contribution rate as per PhilHealth Circular 022-2011. He said a new payment scheme will make it easier for LGUs to renew their sponsorship of the indigent families' coverage.

"For instance, LGUs who opt to renew their sponsorship for two years until December 31, 2013 and undertake the renewal through a memorandum of agreement on or before June 30 this year, will be entitled to an additional three-month extension of validity date up to June 30, 2012. Under this arrangement, the LGU will enjoy an effective premium rate for a two-year enrolment of only P1,800.00 per enrolled family," the official said.

If the LGUs decide to bring in new or additional enrollees into the SP and commit to provide them with coverage until December 31, 2013, they will be able to enjoy a two-year premium of P2,400.00. "However, the new enrollees should be committed into the SP on or before June 30 this year for the LGU to enjoy this premium rate."

Banzon is hopeful that more LGUs will realize the advantage that this new arrangement will bring them, especially in maintaining the health insurance coverage of their disadvantaged constituents.

"We are actually assuring the continued coverage of about 10 million poor and low-income families until December 31, 2013 and this translates into peace of mind, especially for our SP members," he explained. (CGC)