The monthly contribution of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members will increase by next year.

In a televised public briefing Monday, PhilHealth Corporate Communications senior manager Rey Baleña said the monthly contribution would be adjusted to 4.5 percent from this year’s 4 percent based on the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

He noted that the UHC law included the adjustment in its provisions to ensure Filipinos’ access to medical services and the financial protection of the corporation as PhilHealth implements the national health insurance program.

The employee pays for the monthly contributions on a 50-50 arrangement — half of the contribution is shouldered by the employer.

“Doon po sa kumikita ng PHP10,000 kada buwan, so times 4.5 percent starting January. Ang atin pong kontribusyon ay PHP450 kada buwan. At kung iyan ay hahatiin pa between the employer and the employee, iyan ay PHP225 na lamang ang ating magiging share (For those earning PHP10,000 monthly, so times 4.5 percent starting January, the monthly contribution is PHP450. If that will be divided between the employee and the employer, the employee’s share will only be PHP225),” Baleña explained.

The additional contribution would help sustain the current level of benefits and keep the UHC law expanding and improving.

The adjustments in monthly contributions, which started in 2019, will continue until 2025.

The increase would be used for the benefit plan of 2023, including KonSulTa (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) which will provide consultations, health risk screenings, laboratory tests, and medicines; outpatient therapeutic care for severe and acute malnutrition; outpatient package for mental health; and continuous Covid-19 benefit package as the pandemic remains.

The UHC law also includes the provision of comprehensive outpatient benefits which would depend on the adjusted monthly contributions. (PNA)