Davao: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in the Davao region (PhilHealth-11) has taken decisive steps to address the issue of unpaid premiums by issuing 237 final demand letters to employers who have fallen behind in their contributions. The agency is targeting the recovery of PHP25.4 million in unpaid premiums this year.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mark Jim Manabat, the officer-in-charge of PhilHealth-11’s field operations division collection section, revealed during a press briefing that approximately 4,000 registered employers in the region were delinquent as of 2024. Manabat, who is also a lawyer, mentioned that the agency has yet to file legal cases, as they are extending patience and consideration to allow employers to settle their delinquencies within the year. However, he warned that if employers fail to pay despite receiving notices, PhilHealth will have no choice but to pursue legal action.
Manabat further noted that over 100 employers have already settled their obligations. He
emphasized PhilHealth’s approach of leniency to avoid legal battles, which can potentially damage a company’s reputation. So far, PhilHealth-11 has achieved an 87 percent collection rate, having collected PHP4.94 billion of its PHP5.67 billion target by October 31. The agency is aiming for full billing of delinquent employers by next year and intends to engage at least 10 percent of the region’s 21,940 active employers.
Assuring members of their benefits, Manabat stated that PhilHealth is actively pursuing employers who fail to remit premiums. The region has also reported a 90.5 percent compliance rate with the ‘No Balance Billing Policy’ in government hospitals and a 95.66 percent registration rate as of November 22. Since January, PhilHealth-11 has disbursed PHP6.9 billion for 607,199 valid claims.
PhilHealth-11 accredits 490 health facilities, 2,318 healthcare professionals, 1,280 KonSulTa (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) facilities, and 293 KonSulTa physicians, ensuring a robust network for delivering heal
thcare services across the region.
