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PhilHealth Region 12 Holds Forum on Alternative Reporting - October 12, 2006


TO intensify its campaign on the adoption of alternative reporting of remittances to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the PhilHealth Regional Office XII recently conducted an Employer’s Forum in Cotabato City.

In addressing the employer representatives, PhilHealth Vice President for Membership and Contributions Management Group Gregorio C. Rulloda said that he was optimistic that the employers will adopt any of the alternative modes of reporting their PhilHealth premium remittances. "I expect all of you to adopt either one of the three remittance reporting schemes to minimize expenses both in the manpower and technical aspects of report preparation," he said.

Rulloda also advised employers that had been religiously doing their obligation "…to maintain your prompt reporting because by next year, we hope to employ our proposal to provide a .2% incentive for employers who consistently submit their reports correctly and on time."

The forum, which was attended by 65 participants from the government and 79 from the private sectors, was organized to update employers on the existing premium reporting mechanisms for their convenience. The forum is part of PhRO XII’ s campaign to ensure prompt remittance of PhilHealth premiums as well as reporting such remittances accurately and on time to ensure employees’ convenience when availing of the medical care benefits under the National Health Insurance Program.

Rulloda also announced that effective October 1 this year, PhilHealth will implement the compensability of the normal spontaneous delivery of the 3rd childbirth under its maternity care package for all qualified PhilHealth members.

Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr., PhRO XII’s Assistance Vice President thanked the participants for attending the orientation. "This forum was really meant to be conducted in line with the Corporation’s commitment to keep our employer stakeholders updated as we pursue critical reforms to improve our operational systems," he said.

Specific goals of and guidelines on the new schemes were thoroughly discussed by members of PhRO XII’s Collection and Premium Accounts Management Division. The workshop and open forum were done after the orientation during which the resource speakers ably answered questions that focused on the technical aspect of the alternative reporting schemes. The obligations of employers were also taken up.

Merlie C. Sabug, Officer-in-charge of CPAMD presented new policies and guidelines regarding collection and the status of employer monitoring being conducted by PhRO XII. "We are encouraging you to adopt either one of these three schemes for your benefit. By using these schemes, you can save time, supplies and other resources, and at the same time ensure submission of your report on time," she reiterated. "After all, you are mandated by law to deduct the PhilHealth premium from your employees’ monthly salaries and remit these to us on time."

Under Sections 18 to 21, Rule 3 and Sections 161 to 163, Rule 32 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7875, as amended by RA 9241, every registered employer is entitled to collect the PhilHealth premium and to submit the remittance report as scheduled to avoid corresponding legal sanctions and penalties that might be imposed by PhilHealth.

To date, PhRO XII’s database shows that there are at least 144 registered employers in the entire region.

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