After more than 10 years of pegging the annual PhilHealth premium of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at P900 pesos (P2.50 a day) despite price inflation and rising costs of benefit enhancements, the PhilHealth Board decided to increase its premium to more accurate and sustainable actuarial levels. Premium increases also affected all other types of PhilHealth members.
Based on current and expected benefit utilization and payments, the new rate was set to P2,400 pesos a year (around P6.55 a day) in 2011. The increase also anticipated new benefits that we have started to introduce this year for all our members including OFW members. The P2,400 pesos annual premium would still be the lowest premium rate charged for any type of PhilHealth member.
To provide members enough time to adjust, premium increases were phased in, with premiums increasing to P1,200 pesos per year (around P3.30 a day) on January 1, 2012 followed by an increase to P2,400 pesos per year on January 1, 2013. As a result of several dialogues with OFW groups, the further deferment of the increase to P2,400 pesos a year to 2014 is being studied and considered.
To provide members enough time to adjust, premium increases were phased in, with premiums increasing to P1,200 pesos per year (around P3.30 a day) on January 1, 2012 followed by an increase to P2,400 pesos per year on January 1, 2013. As a result of several dialogues with OFW groups, the further deferment of the increase to P2,400 pesos a year to 2014 is being studied and considered.
PhilHealth commits that the premium charged prior to departure shall never be more than P1,200 pesos, even if the premium increase would finally be implemented. Subsequent premium payments may be made by dependents within the country or by the members themselves through convenient payment schemes, including on-line payment.
PhilHealth will continue to expand benefits and improve services. To better serve our members abroad, a plan to contract with primary care doctors in countries and cities with large concentrations of overseas Filipino workers is underway. To promote members’ convenience, online claims submission for reimbursement of overseas hospital admissions will be implemented by 2013.
We will continue to implement the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) consistent with the law creating PhilHealth, and uphold its principles of "social solidarity" and “compulsory coverage.” Social solidarity means that everyone pitches in to care for the health of each and every Filipino. This is further strengthened by compulsory coverage that would address adverse selection. Together, these principles mandate the enrolment and membership of all Filipinos into the NHIP.
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They really did increase. Thanks for this information.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI hope they use the additional premiums to further improve healthcare facilities in the country.
ReplyDeleteI hope they use the additional proceeds to improve healthcare facilities in the country.
ReplyDeleteIf they will give better benefits and services then it's fine with me =)
ReplyDeleteI think its a great news for all the members. With added benefits, everyone are happy.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, I nearly forgot I need to update my Philhealth payment.
ReplyDeleteAs long as people will be able to fully utilize the benefits PhilHealth offers its members, I believe the increase is a good move.
ReplyDeleteyeah.. now we will be charged at 2,400.00 annually... :( :( :(
ReplyDeleteMedical insurance is very important. Medical treatment can become an expensive affair without the insurance.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a huge increase. Anyway, hope they'll come up with more benefits with that amount.
ReplyDeleteI hope this increase will benefit Philhealth members as keeping healthy is really very costly these days.
ReplyDeletePhilHealth has huge benefits. The increase may not be very acceptable but it is reasonable. We availed of the 50% off promo to lessen the impact of the increase. I think the promo may still be availed til the 30th of September.
ReplyDelete...really now? Well, I hope the "extra" funds are put into good use.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly great news for our OFW's. Health care is really important especially when you're working abroad. PhilHealth's program will certainly help alleviate the healthcare worries of our OFW's.
ReplyDeletei think that's a reasonable increase! great share! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, people may have different views with the corporation, and there may be points that still needs to be ironed out. But still, the idea of having your own health insurance is a great thing to have.
ReplyDeleteImagine reaping hundreds of thousands of benefits even just paying for 3 months!
There are still several misconceptions about the corporation. Well, both have the obligations for them to be satisfied with each other. The member knowing the benefits that he is supposed to get, his responsibilities with paying, and things like that. The corporation needs to reply to the member's queries at the best that it can, as well as cover the shortcomings with a much better solution.
Well, PhilHealth and its members are both "partners" to each other, which specifically means that both should work hand-in-hand towards the success of both parties.
Great post!
I just hope the increase would justify the reasons why it is necessary. ^_^
ReplyDelete