DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 February) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is looking at increasing contribution of its members from P1,200 to P2,400 effective July 1, Dr. Eduardo Banzon, president and chief executive officer, said.
Banzon said the increase on contribution is based on Circular 22 approved last December. Under this circular, members can avail of the old rate by paying their contribution before June 30. They can also avail of the rate if they pay their 2013 contribution before the deadline.
By July 1, members, including those newly-registered will have to pay an annual contribution of P2,400, he said.
But Banzon added, “pwede pa siya maglock in sa old rate kung magsign siya ng (they can lock in on the old rate if they sign a) memorandum of agreement and commit to pay their contribution of two consecutive years.”
Banzon said PhilHealth hopes to double its collection from P32 billion last year to P60 billion this year.
Self-employed professionals earning an average monthly income of more than P25,000 will continue to pay their annual premium contribution of P3,600, he said.
He explained that the increase in contribution is intended to provide better services to its members and increase their benefits.
It will also help the agency provide better services to indigent members, particularly those enrolled by their local officials, he said.
The national government has started enrolling indigents for the universal healthcare program.
In Mindanao, Health Assistant Secretary Romulo Busuego, said the department is verifying 2.8 million indigents enrolled in the program. Busuego said they are part of the 10.5 million persons nationwide identified in the 2008 National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
PhilHealth also implemented the No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy to provide financial protection to its members, including indigent families.
Banzon said this means the patient does not need to shell out money for other fees or expenses.
NBB is also applicable to all accredited non – hospital maternity care facilities to help decrease the number of maternal and infant mortality rates.
“All government hospitals are reminded not to refuse admissions to (PhilHealth) members,” he added. (MindaNews)
