MANILA: The suspension of the rate hike in the monthly contributions of Philippine Insurance Health Corporation (PhilHealth) members will not affect the state insurer’s existing plans and programs.
“Despite the suspension ay wala pong magiging epekto sa operations ng PhilHealth, at wala ring magiging epekto sa (there will be no effect on the operations of PhilHealth, and there will be no effect on the) overall implementation ng National Health Insurance Program,” said PhilHealth senior manager for corporate communications Rey Balena in a Laging Handa briefing Wednesday.
Balena, however, explained that there would be adjustments in the implementation of new programs that are scheduled to be rolled out this year.
“Halimbawa ay iyong ating outpatient package benefit for mental health at saka iyong (For example, our outpatient package benefit for mental health and the) outpatient package for severe acute malnutrition. Sa KonSulta o iyong ating Expanded Primary Care Benefit Package, alam ninyo po tuluy-tuloy na ang implementation nito. Kung mayroon mang mga adjustments sa implementation ay very, very minor lang po (For the KonSulta or our Expanded Primary Care Benefit Package, the implementation continues. If there are implementation adjustments, it would be very, very minor),” he added.
The KonSulta Benefit Package assigns members to an accredited medical provider that will take care of their health concerns through regular consultations.
PhilHealth will also continue with its Covid-19 package which covers laboratory testing up to hospital confinement of patients if needed.
The state insurer is also preparing for the Comprehensive Outpatient Benefit Package which is scheduled for implementation in 2024.
On Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the state insurer to suspend the increase of its premium rate and income ceiling for the calendar year 2023.
According to a memorandum from the Office of the President signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the move aims to provide financial relief to everyone “in light of the prevailing socioeconomic challenges brought about by the pandemic”.
Source: Philippines News Agency
