The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Cordillera has issued a clarification about the increase in premium contribution, which took effect this month.
In a radio interview, PHIC Information Officer Magnolia del Rosario said the five percent increase in premium contribution is based on the Universal Health Care (UHC) law passed in 2019, which allows a gradual increase in the premium rate to be able to sustain the benefit enhancements for the members.
A rate adjustment of 2.75 percent was implemented in 2019; three percent in 2020; 3.5 percent in 2021; four percent in 2022; 4.5 percent in 2023, and five percent this 2024.
This last hike set the income ceiling of P100,000 at P5,000 monthly contribution.S
Individuals earning P10,000 are now required to contribute P500, while those with a monthly income ranging from P10,000.01 to 99,999.99 will pay a premium varying from P500 to P5,000.
Del Rosario said there is a need for the adjustment to fund the benefits rolled out for PhilHealth members. One is the hemodialysis package benefit for kidney patients, which previously covered 90 sessions. It increased to 144 in 2022 and to 156 sessions in 2023.
Another is the “PhilHealth Konsulta Package” where members are given free access to medical consultations, health risk screening and assessment, free selected laboratory and diagnostic testing, and selected drugs and medicines relative to their pre-existing condition.
She said the PhilHealth Konsulta Package will soon be expanded to Konsulta Package Plus, which will cover other illnesses, including severe malnutrition, and even mental health conditions. – Maria Aprila W. Cruz
