PhilHealth Assures Members No Premium Increase in 2023

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) clarified that there is no premium increase to be implemented this year.

It can be remembered that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered PhilHealth to suspend the implementation of the premium rate hike — this year’s supposed premium rate hike was 4.5% and an income ceiling of P90,000.

Read more here: Marcos Suspends PhilHealth Rate Hike

PhilHealth Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. assured members that even though the said rate hike did not push through, PhilHealth will still continue to expand its services to benefit the Filipino people.

“Siniseguro po ng PhilHealth na patuloy ninyo kaming magiging kabalikat sa pagsulong ng kalusugan para sa lahat. Ngayong taon at sa mga susunod pa ay makakaasa po kayo sa patuloy na pagbuti at paglawak ng mga benepisyo para sa mamamayang Filipino (We assure that PhilHlealth will continue to support the improvement of health for everyone. This year and the following years, you can be assured that we will continue to expand our services for the Filipino people),” Ledesma said.

Ledesma said the premium rate remains at 4% with an income ceiling of P80,000.

Moreover, the amendment of Republic Act No. 11223 or the UHC Act continues in the Senate. During the Senate Committee on Health hearing, specifically on premium contributions, PhilHealth said that they agree with the Senate’s proposal to set a fixed for some member categories. This is especially given the guiding principles of the National Health Insurance Program on equity and social solidarity – particularly on risk sharing among all income groups.

“These are just some of the provisions that PhilHealth is presently reviewing in support of improving the law,” Ledesma said.

Ledesma added that PhilHealth assures that their goal is to only improve their services to better serve the Filipinos.

“Regardless, we would like to assure the public that PhilHealth wants nothing but to serve the Filipino with bene­fits that are of quality, responsive, and equitable in support of achieving Universal Health Care in this country. We continue to call for the support in Congress and enjoin everyone to help PhilHealth be the program that we aim and envision it to be,” Ledesma added. (ASC)