Premium for PhilHealth members to increase

COST of premium for individually paying members (IPMs) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will increase 100 percent starting October 1, 2012.

PhilHealth Regional Information Officer Miramar Zabala said the adjustments was deferred from July 1 to October 1 to give members enough time to prepare for the skyrocketing premium adjustments, and allow them to fulfill their obligations to the National Health Insurance Program.

“The deferment covers all IPMs, except self employed professionals and other IPMs whose average gross monthly income is more than P25,000,” Zabala added.

Those with higher income were told to pay P200 monthly premium starting July 1. The rate is double than the P100 monthly premiums imposed by PhilHealth for several years.

Zabala said to support members further and ensure continuity of protection, a lock-in mechanism has been introduced. The lock-in is a privilege granted to IPMs who would like to pay for their coverage from 3rd quarter of 2012 and entire 2013.

“Local health insurance offices will accept payment transactions until the last working day of September 2012. Accredited collecting institutions may accept payment until September 30, 2012. They won’t charge additional premiums during the effective coverage,” she said.

In 2011, PhilHealth announced that premium will double this year as the National Government works double time to move toward universal health care by 2015, the deadline set for the country to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target.

For the poor identified under the National Household Targeting System, premiums will increase to P2,400 by January 1, 2012 with subsidies shouldered by the national government.

Members sponsored by local government units (LGUs) will pay at least half of their premiums, while the rest will be covered by the LGUs.

Under the original plan, premiums for individually paying members, and for overseas Filipino workers would have been increased to P2,400 by July 2012. However, she said these groups can avail of the old P1,200 annual rate for as long as these dues are fully paid for before July 2012.

Collection premium increase was deferred by PhilHealth, granting the request of IPMs to extend the adjustments.

For the formal employed sector, premium rates will be pegged at three percent of the basic monthly salary by January 2013, with a maximum salary base of P50,000, to allow employers time for the necessary adjustments.

PhilHealth moved to double health insurance premium rates to cover the cost of expanding healthcare services every year. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)