PhilHealth extends accreditation deadline for health facilities

by Analou de Vera, MB

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) (MANILA BULLETIN)

Health facilities can still file their application for renewal of accreditation with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) until the end of this month.

“Please be informed that PhilHealth will extend the period of filing of application for renewal of accreditation for CY 2023 of health facilities until Jan. 31, 2023,” PhilHealth said in a statement on Monday, Jan. 9. 

This move is aimed at ensuring “continuous access to quality health services by all Filipinos,” it said.

“Only applications with the complete documentary requirements submitted to the respective PhilHealth Regional Offices on or before the said period shall be accepted,” it noted.

“Applications received for renewal of accreditation beyond this period shall result into a gap in accreditation,” it added.

The state health insurer said that health facilities may coordinate with PhilHealth regional offices if they have clarifications.

PhilHealth contribution hike freeze a relief for members

Published January 6, 2023, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

The decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend implementation this month of the scheduled increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) premium rate and income ceiling is a welcome development.

Coming at a time when we are still reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it provides much needed relief, albeit temporary, for PhilHealth members who continue to deal with financial and medical challenges.

“In light of the prevailing socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to provide financial relief to our countrymen amid these difficult times, please be informed that the President has directed the PhilHealth to suspend the above-mentioned increase in premium rate and income ceiling for Calendar Year 2023,” a PhilHealth statement said. 

Without the suspension, PhilHealth premium rate is supposed to increase from 4 percent to 4.5 percent and the income ceiling from ₱80,000 to ₱90,000 this year as mandated by Section 10 of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. The UHC law mandates a yearly increase in member’s premium by 0.5 percent starting in 2021 until it reaches the 5-percent limit in 2025.

Reacting to the suspension, PhilHealth said current benefits won’t be affected and will remain the same — an announcement that reassures members.

“Despite the suspension, PhilHealth operations will not be affected and will have no effect on the overall implementation of the National Health Insurance Program,” PhilHealth corporate communications manager Rey Balena said in a statement. “Even with the suspension, we want to assure the public that delivery of services will continue — no diminution of or cut in benefits.”

Welcoming the suspension of contribution increase, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said Congress was successful in pushing for a ₱79-billion allocation for PhilHealth, thus, he sees no reason why this would negatively impact the benefits and services that the state health insurance agency provides its members.

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While the suspension of premium increase and income ceiling is a welcome development, members should temper their expectations.

The increase, being mandated by law, will eventually be collected sometime in the future much like the previous suspension.

While we rejoice now at the suspension, be ready to pay for the retroactive differential when time comes.

Philhealth to Increase Members' Contribution from 1,200 to 2,400 Pesos

I am an expat in the Philippines since 1999 and also a member of PhilHealth.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is looking at increasing contribution of its members from 1,200 to 2,400 Pesos (from 20 to 40 EUROS) per year. effective July 1, 2012. One could learn this from Dr. Eduardo Banzon, president and chief executive officer. Banzon said the increase on contribution is based on Circular 22 approved already last December. Under this circular, members can avail of the old rate by paying their contribution before June 30. They can also avail if they pay their 2012 contribution before the deadline.

By July 1, members, including those newly - registered will have to pay the annual contribution of 2,400 Pesos. Self-employed professionals earning an average monthly income of more than 25,000 Pesos will continue to pay their annual premium contribution of 3,600 Pesos. 

PhilHealth also implemented already the "No Balance Billing Policy to provide financial protection to its members, including indigent families. This means the patient does not need to shell out money for other fees or expenses. All government hospitals are reminded not refuse admissions to PhilHealth members, Banzon said.

Expats and Healthcare in The Philippines

I am lucky. Yes, I am! When I moved to the Philippines for good in 1999, i was still able to get some very good health insurance plans: critical illness, accident, death because of accident etcetera etcetera....

And, I also joined PHILHEALTH.

I informed several other expats and (Filipino) friends of mine about it. One of them became very lucky. He has been hospitalized and needed a blood transfusion several months ago. I informed him about the latest statement of Dr. Rey B. Aquino, President and CEO of PhilHealth: "In keeping with its trust objective of providing its members with responsive benefits, blood transfusions done even as an outpatient is now being paid  for by the state run Philippine Health Insurance cooperation (PhilHealth). This took effect already on al claims for outpatient blood transfusions starting one year ago.

Of course, it should be clarified that while purchase of blood is not included in the benefits , all medically-necessary drugs and medicines used during the transfusion shall be compensated in addition to the usual blood donor screening test.

What ever, however, being a PhilHealth member is a must - also and/or especially for expatriates living here in the Philippines.

Take Good Care!

I am an expatriate living in the Philippines for good since 12 years. I have never been back in Germany, my home country. I visited the Philippines since 1976 - since 1982 on a regular basis. I always remember the phrase: "Take good care of yourself!" Sure, I did! I always did good care of myself - also whiule staying in more then 60 other countries worldwide. 

Although one takes good care, anything can happen: an accident, an illness. Also YOU, just reading this, may be at risk.

Did you experience any chest pains or heaviness? Come on, stop smiling. Have you had a weakness or numbness on one side of your body which resolves completely at the end of the day? Come on, yes I DID BEFORE! I experienced it twice - mild strokes. Nearly 26 million people worldwide die (!) every year of diseases associated with "atherothrombosis". 

Now, hy am I so concerned about this topic? Sure, everybody can get sick or ill. Filipinos and expats living herein the Philippines. Fact is, the Philippine health infrastructure is deadly! I really hold my breath reading alot of news while researching for this post. No, no good news! Sorry, really bad news!

It happened several months ago, but it's still up to date: Philippine "STAR"-columnist Boo Chanco, whom I really admire, has been talking to a number of doctors and always got the same message: "If you should have a heart attack or stroke, pray that neither happens outside of Metro Manila nor Metro Cebu!" Boom-bang! How about all the other places in the Philippines? Mindanao, Davao City - has not breath a word. 

It means to say: Proper emergency care is not available outside Manila and Ceby. Which hospitals, I am referring to Mindanao, in my case especially Davao City - can provide proper emergency care and treatment for these two medical emergencies?

Let's mention again basic tourism programs, retirement programs or the development of luxury second homes away from the metro areas, as Boo Chanco stressed. I am pretty sure we can't wait for the government again to provide us. The private  sector developers indeed will have to include adequate mdeical facilities in their plans.

PhilHealth is not bankrupt. Even being an expat I am a member of. And, by the way, the "Generic Pharmacy" (Mabisa na - Matipid pa!!!) is still extending nationwide. 

Take good care of yourselves, guys! Stay safe and healthy in the Philippines.