PHILHEALTH has deferred the increase in the premium contributions of Filipino workers abroad as a result of the global economic crisis and the political instability in the Middle East, an official said on Saturday.
That decision also was made after PhilHealth consulted with civil society groups and organizations of migrant Filipino workers, PhilHealth president Eduardo Banson said.
“With the deferment of the new premium rate, [Filipino workers abroad] need only pay P1,200 as annual payment for 2012,” Banson said in a statement.
“The new rate of P2,400 per year will take effect on January 1, 2013.”
Banson said Filipinos abroad may also opt for a two-year lock-in period for which their annual premiums would be computed at P1,200 a year or P2,400 for two years.
“They have to sign a policy contract with us to be able to avail themselves of this special rate,” he said.
The prevailing rate per year would then apply once that contract expired, Banson said.
He assured migrant workers that additional benefits would come with the increase in their premium contributions. Macon Ramos-Araneta, Manila Standard Today