OFWs soon to pay salary-based PhilHealth premium


By JULIA MARI ORNEDO, GMA News
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) will soon pay their PhilHealth premium based on their salary, according to Lei Alviz’ report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Thursday.
At present, land-based OFWs pay a fixed rate for their PhilHealth premium of P2,400 for the entire year.
Under the new regulations, the premium will cost 2.75 percent of the salary of OFWs starting this year and will rise to 5 percent by 2024.
The employers of land-based OFWs will have no share in this amount.
The Blas F. Ople Policy Center has urged a moratorium against the implementation of the premium hike for OFWs, saying it might lead some Filipinos to turn to illegal recruiters.
“Kumakain pa rin ‘yun sa pera sana na maipapadala na nila sa pamilya nila. And ‘yung isang concern namin, sa tingin ko malubha rin ‘yung sakit ng PhilHealth sa corruption e. Gamutin muna nila ‘yung sakit nila,” Susan Ople, president of the policy center, said.
PhilHealth explained that the premium increase is mandated by the Universal Healthcare Law.
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales said P2.3 billion worth of medical services were enjoyed by beneficiaries of OFWs in 2018.
“The range of services is also going to increase. We want to assure the public that their money is going to be carefully guarded, it’s not going to be wasted,” he said.
In June, President Rodrigo Duterte called on PhilHealth executives to resign amid allegations of "ghost" kidney treatments.
In the same month, 38 officials and employees were suspended for their alleged involvement in corrupt activities. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BAP, GMA News

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