PhilHealth vows increased benefits

Members of the state-run health care system may look forward to increased benefits without having to pay higher premium contributions than the prevailing rates.

Increased benefits will take effect within the next eight months, accordig to Dr. Eduardo Bangzon, president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

But Bangzon said that premiums will have to be raised eventually taking into consideration several factors including economic challenges.

The monthly health insurance premium of a member-employee ranges from P100 per month for those earning P4,999.99 and below, to P750 for those earning P30,000 and above.

Only half of the monthly premium is shouldered by the employee and is automatically deducted from their salary, while the other half is paid for by the employer.

Individually paying members with an average monthly income of P25,000 and below pay P300 per quarter while those earning more than P25,000 pay P600.

Members of organized groups pay their contributions through their organizations at P1,200 per year under flexible payment schemes.

PhilHealth members who are workers overseas pay P900 each year.

Retirees and pensioners who have made at least 120 monthly contributions during their active years in service are qualified under the Lifetime Member Program where they are covered by PhilHealth for life without having to pay a premium.

Banzon also renewed his call for increased financial risk protection for the poorest of the poor through the new case rates and the ‘no-balance billing’ policy coming with the new method of paying for health insurance benefits.

“We will aggressively implement the ‘no balance billing’ policy for sponsored members in government hospitals Bangzon said.

He expressed hope that government hospitals will not send out sponsored members to purchase drugs and make use of diagnostics services outside the state hospital.

Sponsored members include those whose enrolment into PhilHealth was made possible by either the local government units or corporate or individual sponsors.

Also included in this special program are families listed under the National Household Targetting System for Poverty Reduction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. –Macon Ramos-Araneta, Manila Standard Today