CALASIAO, Pangasinan -- The Philippine Health Insurance Inc. (PhilHealth) will increase its premium rate contribution from 2.75 percent of the member's monthly income in December this year to 3 percent starting January next year.
In a press briefing Tuesday, Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Central Pangasinan chief Madonna Valdez said the basic annual premium rate of PHP2,400 of voluntary members will increase to PHP3,600 next year.
For direct contributors whose income is from PHP10,000-PHP60,000, she said, they will pay 3 percent of their monthly income starting January next year.
“The premium rate’s contribution will increase gradually every year until 2025 under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law,” Valdez said.
In 2021, the premium rate will be 3.5 percent of the monthly income of direct contributors; 4 percent in 2022; 4.50 percent in 2023; and 5 percent in 2024 and 2025, she said.
Contribution of members under indirect contributors or the sponsored/indigents and senior citizens, Valdez said, will be funded from sin tax, shares of the government from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
“Funding for the contribution of indirect contributors will soon be part of the General Appropriations Act,” she said.
Alongside the increased premium rate contribution are added benefits including outpatient services, she added.
"Service coverage will include preventive, primitive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. Within two years, there will be the outpatient benefits including drug and emergency services," Valdez said.
She added the services will also cover mental, medical, dental, and emergency services.
Accreditation chief of Philhealth-1 Dr. Marlene Soliba said a transition package for outpatient services is underway.
"We are waiting for its circular to implement. It will cover medical check-up and medicine provision for all qualified members and their dependents," she said. (PNA)
