PhilHealth payment deadline on Sept. 30

CEBU, Philippines -  PhilHealth is reminding individually paying members that the deadline for premium payments covering the third quarter of this year will be on Sept. 30.

However, since Sept. 30 falls on a Sunday, payments at PhilHealth offices must be made on or before the last working day of the quarter.

PhilHealth added that their accredited collecting agents such as banks, LBC branches and Bayad Centers, or SM City-Cebu may accept PhilHealth premium payments during weekends and holidays.

Individually paying members with an average monthly income of more than P25,000 pay a premium of P900 per quarter.

Those with a P25,000-and-below income only pay a premium of P300 per quarter. However, this lower rate is set to increase to P600 per quarter on October 1, 2012.

 PhilHealth continues to encourage members currently paying the lower rate to lock-in their coverage until 2013 and avail of a discounted premium rate.

PhilHealth said that members who lock-in will be computed a premium rate of P300 per quarter only, instead of P600.

Members can lock-in by paying their premium in advance for the rest of 2012 and for the entire 2013.

Advance payments must be made on or before October 2012.

PhilHealth further said that in a health insurance fund, an updated premium payment is essential to continuous coverage.

 To avoid suspension of benefit entitlement, PhilHealth reminds members to regularly pay their premium.  (FREEMAN)