PhilHealth defers increase of premium rates for OFWs

CEBU, Philippines - The implementation of the P2,400-increase in premium contribution rates for members under the Overseas Workers Program (OWP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has been deferred.

In a press statement sent to The FREEMAN by the Public Affairs Unit of PhilHealth-Region7, the premiums were deferred after taking into consideration the civil society and non-government organizations’ request in light of the global crisis resulting in the repatriation of a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

With the deferment of the new premium rates, OFWs need only to pay P1,200 as annual payment for 2012. The new rate of P2,400 per year will take effect on January 1, 2013.

The land-based OFWs previously paid an annual premium of P900 which was their premium rate under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Medicare program.

To recall, the Medicare function of OWWA was transferred to PhilHealth in 2005. Since the transfer, PhilHealth retained the premium rate of P900 per year which was the lowest premium for members until January this year when PhilHealth implemented the first increase in OFW annual premiums to P1,200.

To give extra leeway, PhilHealth will accept payments of P900 from OFW members, but this will cover only nine months worth of premium.

To ensure continuity of coverage and entitlement to benefits, OFWs will be required to pay the balance of P300 to complete the required annual premium upon renewal of coverage, whether as OFWs or as members under a different category. — (FREEMAN)