CALOOCAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has issued an official statement expalining its implementation of increased contribution rate starting this year.
The state health insurer said it is implementing the scheduled contribution rate and adjustment in income ceiling for 2021 to ensure sufficient funding for the healthcare benefits of its 110 million members as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
“PhilHealth fully recognizes the current pandemic situation that is taking its toll on many businesses and livelihood of many Filipinos,” the state health insurer said.
“However, it is bound to implement the UHC Law which has been the beacon and source of hope for the country that is aiming for better healthcare services even as it battles the Coronavirus Disease 2019,” PhilHealth added.
“The premium adjustment is provided for in Section 10 of the UHC Law and its implementing rules and regulations, the guidelines of which are contained in Circular 2020-005 published by PhiiHealth on March 5, 2020,” said PhilHealth.
For 2021, those who have a monthly basic salary of ₱10,000 and below shall have a fixed contribution of ₱350 a month, while those earning ₱70,000 and higher is fixed at ₱2,450 a month.
“Contributions of employed members (including Kasambahays) shall be equally shared between employees and employers, while those of self-paying members, professional practitioners and land-based migrant workers and other direct contributors with no employeeemployer relationship are computed straight based on their monthly earnings and paid wholly by the member,” the PhilHealth stated.
The state health insurer cited in their statement that the law emphasized the importance of members' social health insurance contributions to provide the necessary funding for various reforms under the UHC that are now being availed of by Filipinos such as but not limited to the following:
1. Automatic membership of all Filipinos into the National Health Insurance Program, ensuring access to quality healthcare as a fundamental right and not for the privileged few.
2. Immediate eligibility of all Filipinos to PhilHealth benefits each time they seek treatment at and confinement in any accredited hospitals in the country and even overseas. This means that the former sufficient eligibility rules and contribution requirements are no longer applicable.
3. Assignment of every Filipino to a primary care provider (or PCP) of their choice initially in pilot areas to be identified in each region in 2021. Accreditation of PCPs shall commence immediately.
This program is called Konsulta or Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama. The PCPs under Konsulta will act as patients' navigator, coordinator and their initial and continuing point of contact through the healthcare delivery system.
The PCPs will also be responsible for the health and well-being of patients assigned under their care, and are expected to detect and help arrest diseases at the early stages in order to prevent costly treatments later on.
It is also envisioned that PhiiHealth will be covering more catastrophic illnesses as soon as additional funding are made available, as stipulated in the UHC Law.
4. No co-payment (or No Balance Billing) for confinements in basic or ward accommodations in both government and private healthcare facilities, except when availing of amenities, for which PhiiHealth will develop co-payment limits to make costs predictable.
The legislated contribution scheme will enable patients to enjoy substantial financial risk protection through the gradual decrease in out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Lifetime PhiiHealth coverage for all members upon reaching the age of retirement and after contributing at least 120 months to the Program, ensuring continuing financial protection from health risks brought about by old age.
“These reforms and those that are still in the pipeline as mandated by the UHC Law are for the benefit of all and sundry, regardless of their station in life,” PhilHealth said.
“Everyone's heartfelt contributions to the National Health Insurance Fund is each one's share in the health and well-being of all. This is Bayanihan at its best, damayan para sa kalusugan ng bawat Filipino. Tulungan po natin ang isa't-isang gumaling at makaahon sa magastos na pagkakasakit,” PhilHealth added.
“Everyone's hard-earned contribution will help guarantee that all these gains are delivered and sustained for all Filipinos today, tomorrow and for the years to come,” the state health insurer said.
“The new PhiiHealth leadership is ready to take on these enormous tasks, and is committed to strengthening its internal mechanisms, policies, systems and processes to ensure a renewed organization worthy of the Filipinos' trust,” Dante Gierran, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
“Pabayaan ninyong gawin namin ang aming trabaho nang mahusay, tapat at sulit sa inyong lahat,” Gierran said. (PhilHealth/PIA-NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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