The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is now implementing a more sustainable premium payment scheme for Informal Economy members, particularly those in the lower income bracket.

Through Circular 2016-025, the health insurer now allows members belonging to the Informal Economy membership category to pay their premium contributions on a monthly basis. The policy covers informal economy members such as self-earning individuals; informal sector members that include market vendors, street hawkers, tricycle drivers and the like; Filipinos with dual citizenship and naturalized Filipino citizens; and migrant workers except for land-based Overseas Filipino Workers.

According to PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Ramon F. Aristoza Jr., not all members belonging to the said membership category have the capacity to pay for at least a full quarter premium on a regular basis.

“We are continuously seeking all possible means to make our premium payment schemes more convenient to our members, for them to be able to sustain and remit a much smaller amount each month and avail themselves of the PhilHealth benefits in time of ill health,” Aristoza said.

The PhilHealth premium contribution rate for informal economy members whose average monthly income is Php25,000 and below is currently at P200 per month. With this amount, a member, along with his qualified dependents, can have health insurance coverage that can be availed of in at least 13,000 accredited health care institutions nationwide. Availment requires that a member has paid his premium for at least three (3) months within the immediate six (6) months prior to the first day of confinement.

The monthly mode of premium payment is in addition to the current payment options of quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

The deadline for the monthly premium contributions is on the last working day of the current month.

For members who opt to pay their premiums quarterly, the deadline is the last working day of the applicable quarter. Those who opt to pay semi-annually are also reminded that the deadline for payment is on the last working day of the first quarter of the applicable semester, while those paying annually should do so prior to or on the last working day of the first quarter of the applicable year.

The health insurer also reminded its members, especially the self-paying ones, to regularly pay their premium contributions to be able to avail themselves of the PhilHealth benefits in times of unexpected medical needs.

Payments may be made at any of the accredited collecting agents and Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs) nationwide. In the meantime, however, monthly payment may be made in PhilHealth Regional Offices and/or LHIOs. (END) (Michelle S. Nisperos)