Philhealth defers hike in OFW premium

IN light of the global crisis resulting in the repatriation of a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the PhilHealth Board of Directors agreed to defer the implementation of the P2,400 increase in annual premium of its OFW members.

The increase in annual premium to P2,400 per year for members under the Individually Paying, Sponsored and Overseas Workers programs will take effect on July 2012.

For OFW members, the increase has been deferred to January 2013.

Land-based OFWs previously paid an annual premium of P900.

This was their premium rate under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Medicare program, whose function was transferred to PhilHealth in 2005.

PhilHealth retained the premium rate until January this year when it implemented the first increase in OFW annual premium to P1,200.

PhilHealth will still accept payment of P900 from OFW members, but this will cover only nine months of premium. To ensure continuity of coverage and entitlement to benefits, OFWs will be required to pay the balance of P300 upon renewal of coverage. OFWs also have the option to pay for more than one year’s worth of premium this 2012.

For clarifications, contact the Public Affairs Unit at 233-7871 or e-mail at [email protected].