PhilHealth commits to another 30% hike in benefits rates before end-2024

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday said it will increase the rate of its benefit packages by another 30% before the year ends. 

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. made the commitment during the deliberations of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed budget of the Department of Health (DOH) for 2025. 

“Currently, Madam Chair, we are in the process of studying another round of 30% almost across the board,” Ledesma said. 

“I can commit to this honorable committee that it will happen on or before Christmas Day. So before the year ends, we will have another round of 30% [increase], so that we'll leave a total of 60% or more than 50% increase, almost across the board,” he added. 

On February 14 this year, the state health insurer implemented an up to 30% increase in all its benefit case packages to lessen the out-of-pocket expenses for Filipinos availing of health care services using PhilHealth.

Under Circular No. 2024-0001, PhilHealth adopted an inflation adjustment factor of 30% for existing case rates to account for price changes over the past decade.

PhilHealth also increased the premium or member’s contribution to 5% this year in accordance with the Universal Health Care law.

To recall, Ledesma had said the agency would recommend to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that members’ contributions to the fund be reduced.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, however, said he would prefer improving benefits packages to reduce the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos. —KBK, GMA Integrated News