PhilHealth justifies 4.5% hike in premium
MANILA, Philippines — The 4.5-percent increase in premium next year will help the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) fulfill its mandate to implement the government’s Universal Health Care program, a senior PhilHealth official said on Monday.
Rey Baleña, senior manager of PhilHealth, said the additional contributions would help sustain the current level of benefits enjoyed by PhilHealth members.
He said the Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act of 2008, provides for the premium increase of 4.5 percent in 2023 from 4 percent this year.
“If we get sick and require hospitalization, even if we don’t want to, [our contributions] help us a lot. They will pay for a big chunk of our medical expenses,” he added.
The premium contributions will be collected from those earning at least P10,000 monthly.
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