PhilHealth increase deferred

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. deferred the premium increase which would have taken effect this year for the employed sector and some individually-paying members.

In a statement, PhilHealth said that instead of implementing a monthly premium contribution of three percent of an employee’s basic monthly pay, PhilHealth retained the premium at 2.5 percent for 2013. However, PhilHealth adjusted its contribution schedule’s lowest and highest salary base.

PhilHealth raised the lowest salary base from P4,000 to P7,000 so that those earning P7,999.99 and below will now be paying a monthly contribution of P175. The highest salary base is now P35,000 (from P30,000) at a monthly premium of P875.

With the deferment, only those employees earning below P7,000 and those earning P31,000 and above are affected by the increase.

Still, only half of the monthly contribution will be deducted from the employee’s salary. The other half will be paid by the employer.

High-income earning self-employed members and other professionals doing private practice will continue to pay their current premium of P3,600 per year.

But the 2013 premium of those earning an average monthly income of P25,000 and below, and other individually paying members has been adjusted to P1,800—lower than the intended increase to P2,400 per year.

OFW members will, however, continue to pay P1,200 for 2013.  –(FREEMAN)