Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is planning to increase the premium contribution for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) next year.
At present, the annual premium contribution for land-based OFWs is P2,400 but starting next year, if the adjustment is approved, the cost of contribution will be P3,600.
For sea-based OFWs who are formally employed in the government or private sector, a 0.25 percent upward adjustment will be applied to the present 2.50 percent contribution rate.
PhilHealth said the increase is due to the membership benefits becoming more expensive in the next years, citing that, without a bigger source of funds, the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) may not be sustainable for the next 10 years.
Rey T. Baleña, Senior Manager for the Formal Sector, asked stakeholders to support the program.
“[R]egardless of our status in life, religion, race, income etc., tayo po ay committed at magkakasama na sumusuporta sa ating NHIP because it is our program.
“Kailangan ng cost-sharing sa programa na dapat ay reasonable, sustainable at equitable dahil miyembro tayo lahat nito,” Baleña said during a consultation with 23 OFW manning and recruitment agencies.
Agency representatives, however, argued for several considerations such as a five-year advance premium payment, a reminder of the payment three months before a member’s PhilHealth coverage expires, and a clarification with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration as to who should pay the first annual premium contribution of OFWs.
Source: PhilHealth
