Increase of PhilHealth premiums deferred

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has deferred the premium increase of individually paying members from Oct. 1, 2012 to Jan. 1, 2013.

PhilHealth earlier announced the increase in premium of its individually paying members whose average monthly income is P25,000 and below from P300 to P600 per quarter.

Philhealth, in a press statement, said that after further consultations with informal sector groups and the concerned national government agencies and due to recent monsoons that further devastated the economic conditions of low-income earning informal sector members, the PhilHealth Board approved the deferment of the premium increase to give members more time to adjust to the new rate.

Under Circular 47-2012, the premium rate for the fourth quarter (October to December 2012) shall remain at P300. Individually-paying members may also opt to lock in their coverage for next year (January to December 2013) by paying the premium at the current rate on or before Dec. 31, 2012.

PhilHealth reminds individually paying members who missed paying for the third quarter (July-September 2012) that they are given a grace period of one month (Oct. 1-31, 2012) to retroactively pay.

PhilHealth, however, said only those who have made regular payments for the nine consecutive months prior to the missed period are allowed this privilege. Those who have recently availed of retroactive payment cannot avail of the same a second time.  (FREEMAN)