Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) guaranteed the continued rollout of benefits for its members following the suspension of increases in the premium contribution rate and income ceiling for 2023.
The state-run health insurer said the suspension would neither affect the implementation of the health insurance program nor the operations of the agency.
“Wala ring magiging epekto sa current benefits natin na natatanggap,” Rey Baleña, senior manager for corporate communications of PhilHealth, said during a public briefing on Wednesday.
[Translation: The benefits being distributed to members will not be affected.]
“Wala pong magiging pag-urong, pagbaba, o pagbawas sa current level of benefits natin,” Baleña added. “At ‘yung [nakaplanong] benefits for rollout sa mga susunod na panahon, ‘yan po ay mangyayari.”
[Translation: The current level of benefits will not be retracted, lowered, or deducted. The benefits set for rollout in the coming months will push through as well.]
Baleña said only the implementation of benefits scheduled for release this year would be “adjusted.”
These include the outpatient packages for mental health and severe acute malnutrition, he said.
“Sa konsulta o ‘yung ating expanded primary care benefit package, tuloy-tuloy na ang implementation nito,” Baleña said. “Kung meron mang adjustments sa implementation ay very, very minor lang po.”
[Translation: In terms of consultation or the expanded primary care benefit package, implementation is continuous. Should there be adjustments, these are very, very minor.]
But as to how the implementation of the new benefits will be adjusted, the PhilHealth spokesperson said the public should wait for further announcements.
Meanwhile, when asked if the health insurer has enough funds to cover the whole year despite the suspension of the premium rate hike, Baleña reiterated PhilHealth “is here to stay.”
He cited waived membership contribution fees, government subsidy, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office as fund sources.
