New Philhealth (PHIC) Contributions effective January 2018

Philippines Health Insurance Corporation, otherwise known as Philhealth, through the memorandum circular 2017-0024, has just announced adjustments to the premium contributions of the employed sector in order to sustain the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) which will take effect on January 2018.

These adjustments to the NHIP premium contributions is requisite so as to sustain the various enhancements to the program benefits introduced in recent years. This is also needed to further come up and sustain future benefits in order to effectively respond to the growing healthcare financing needs of all Philhealth's members.

As stipulated in such circular order, the premium monthly contributions shall be at a rate of 2.75% computed straight based on the basic salary of the employer. This will have a salary floor of Php 10,000 and a maximum of Php 40,000. This amount will then be equally shared both by the employees and their employers.

On the other hand, to those members who are earning above Php 40,000, the contribution shall be both Php 550 both for the employee and the employer (with a total monthly contribution of Php 1,000).

With the removal of the salary brackets, computation shall now be based on the following table:

In addition, the premium contributions of the Kasambahay shall be shouldered solely by the household employer as in accordance with Republic Act 10361.

Nevertheless, if the Kasambahay is receiving a monthly salary of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or above, the Kasambahay shall pay his/her proportionate share.

This revised law pertaining to Philhealth's contributions will cover all employed members, OFWs, self-employed or individually paying members and those under the Sponsored program registered in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. 

According to the memo from Philhealth, “members shall be entitled to in-patient hospital care including all case rate packages and catastrophic illness in the Case Type Z Benefit Package, out-patient coverage and other special benefit package under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

Additional queries or clarifications may be referred to Philhealth's 24/7 Corporate Action Center Hotline, (02) 441-7442 or through actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph.