PhilHealth contribution hike affects only formal sector workers

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has reiterated that the latest adjustment in premium contribution rates affects only the members in the formal sector, saying that the adjustment has long been overdue.

“The adjustment will enable the Corporation to strengthen its current financial position so that it can boost the social health insurance benefit packages and frontline services that are currently accorded to the country’s workforce and their qualified dependents,” according to a statement issued by Dr. Celestina Ma. Jude P. de la Serna, PhilHealth interim/OIC president and chief executive officer.

De la Serna said the premium rate adjustment would be needed to enable PhilHealth to continue providing benefit packages that respond to what its members would need.

For the last three years, PhilHealth has introduced benefit packages without raising the premium contribution rate, she said. /atm