By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) Updated March 11, 2012 12:00
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MANILA, Philippines - Bowing to public pressure, the Philippine Health
Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has deferred the plan to increase the
premium contribution of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Eduardo Banzon said
under Circular No. 07, series of 2012, they have amended an earlier
issuance that prescribed the new contribution rates for different paying
sectors for 2012 and 2013.
"With the deferment of the new premium rate, OFWs need only to pay
P1,200 as annual payment for 2012. The new rate of P2,400 per year will
take effect Jan. 1, 2013," Banzon noted.
In recognition of the contributions of OFWs to the country's economy,
they have been paying only P900 in annual premium since 1995 while
members from other sectors were charged P1,200 a year.
But under a previous circular, the minimum annual premium for OFWs,
individually paying members who belong to the informal sector of the
society and indigents, will be P2,400 starting July 1. This is intended
to raise funds for the expansion of PhilHealth benefit packages.
Banzon said they took into consideration the global crisis that had
resulted in the repatriation of many OFWs.
PhilHealth decided to defer the adjustment after consultations with
various civic groups and OFW organizations like Filipino migrant
workers, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines- Episcopal
Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant People,
Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., Kapisanan ng mga
Kamag-anak ng Migranteng Manggagawang Pilipino and the Blas Ople Center.
Banzon added that to encourage OFW-members to engage with Philhealth for
a long time, they can avail of a two-year lock-in period wherein their
annual premium will be computed at P1,200 or a total of P2,400.
He said OFWs would have to sign a policy contract to be able to avail of
this special rate. And when the policy contract expires, the prevailing
rate per year would then be applied.
Banzon assured the workers that the new rates would mean more benefits
for them and their dependents in the country.
"The primary care benefits will feature expanded outpatient providers in
which every PhilHealth member will be assigned to facilities and primary
care physicians. Implementation will be enhanced by introducing a system
wherein release of payments is tied to performance, with incentives for
additional quality and quantity indicators," he said.
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