PhilHealth payment deadline extended

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Central Visayas has extended the deadline for the payment of contributions of direct contributors.

Payments due for the months of November and December 2021, and January and February 2022 can still be paid until March 31, 2022 without penalties.

“This means that premium payments for the months of November and December 2021, as well as for the months of January and February 2022, shall not incur any penalties when transacted on or before March 31, 2022,” Philhealth-7 said in a statement.

It can be recalled that in January 2022, PhilHealth-7 issued Advisory No. 2022-004 which allowed employers, both in the private and government sectors, including employers of registered Kasambahay or household help, self-paying individuals and members under Group Enrollment Program in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor to pay their premium payments for the months of November and December 2021 up to February 15, 2022 without penalties.

However, PhilHealth, through its Regional Advisory No. 2022-009, further extended the payment deadline up to the last day of March this year for employers and members in Central Visayas.

It added that the extension of payment deadline was in accordance with Proclamation No. 1267 s. 2021, which declared Central Visayas as one of the regions under the state of calamity due to the devastation brought about by Typhoon Odette.

Under the Universal Health Care Act or Republic Act 11223, Philhealth-7 added that direct contributors refer to those who have the capacity to pay premiums --- the gainfully employed, self-earning, professional practitioners, among others.

The same law states that direct contributors are required to pay all missed contributions with an interest compounded monthly, of at least three percent for employers and not exceeding 1.5 percent for self-earning, professional practitioners, and migrant workers. — KQD (FREEMAN)