PhilHealth eyes extension of moratorium on premium payments beyond May 30

MANILA, Philippines —  After drawing criticism for its move to increase the premium contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) on Monday announced that they are looking at extending beyond May 30 the moratorium on payment for contributions.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer BGen. Ricardo Morales made the remark after announcing earlier that it has temporarily suspended all collections amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Actually, nag-release na tayo ng pronouncement na ire-relax natin ‘yung collection period. May moratorium na hanggang May 30 kasi ‘yun din ang spirit ng Bayanihan Law,” Morales said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“Pero ngayon since I’m sure hindi pa naman matatapos ng May 30, we’re looking at a longer period of moratorium. In effect flexible payment peiord,” he added.

Those who want to pay, however, can still do so despite the moratorium.

“The reason na hindi natin masyadong iginiit itong moratorium sa payment kasi mayroon din namang members na gustong magbayad. Hindi naman natin tatanggihan ‘yun dahil kailangan ma-sustain yung pondo, ang laki-laking makakaltas sa pondo natin dio sa COVID-19,” Morales said.

Morales made the announcement in light of a circular which states that OFWs with monthly income of P10,000 to P60,000 are to pay 3 percent of their salary, from a previous rate of 2.75 percent.

This did not sit well with OFWs and lawmakers, who asked PhilHealth to reconsider the said move.

Morales insisted that the increase was based on the provisions of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, underscoring that OFWs are not the only ones covered by the increase.

“Mandated by law yan, ‘yung Universal Health Care Act na pinirmahan ng pangulo last year. Magi-increase ng .5 percent per year starting this year hanggang 2024,” Morales said.

“So last year 2.75 percent ang rate natin, this year magiging 3 percent so ‘yun ang premium rate na nakasaad sa batas. Implement lamang ng Philhealth kung ano yung sinaabi sa batas,” he added.

Also covered by the increase are all directly members and those who are self employed who are “paying the reward premiums”, said Morales.

Amid the increase, Morales noted that OFWs, particularly their dependents, benefit from the Philhealth coverage.

“Last year, nakapag-collect tayo sa mga OFW members natin ng a little over P1 billion na premiums. But in return yung mga OFW natin and their dependents, yung nandito sa pilipinas received P1.7 billion of healthcare benefit from Philhealth,” Morales said.

“So lamang ‘yung ating mga OFWs and their dependents,” Morales added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was one of the principal authors of the UHC law, explained that the increase in PhilHealth premium contribution of OFWs was not part of the proposed bill, but part of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) crafted by the state health insurer.

EDV