I.   RATIONALE AND  OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 1571 and PhilHealth Circular No. 22, series of 2011, annual premium contribution under the Overseas Workers Program (OWP) shall increase to TWO THOUSAND FOUR  HUNDRED  PESOS (P2,400.00) effective  July 1, 2012. However, in consideration of the request from the civil society and non-government organizations to defer implementation of said premium in light of the global crisis resulting  in the repatriation of a number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Corporation (through PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 1590, Series of 2012) agreed to defer implementation of the increase of the annual premium contribution under OWP to January 1, 2013.

It must be underscored that the premium increase is in response to the thrust of the Aquino Administration to ensure the realization of Universal Health Care or Kalusugang Pangkalahatan, and supports the attainment of health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The Corporation is prioritizing the provision of enhanced benefits to improve financial risk protection with the eventual assignment of every Filipino family to a Primary Care Provider.  It also aims to provide members and their qualified dependents the option to avail of No Balance Billing (NBB) health care services. Hence, there is a compelling need to increase investment in health care through the adjustment of premium contributions in all membership categories.


II.   IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

1.  The annual premium contribution of members under the Overseas Workers Program shall be ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (P1, 200.00) effective January 1, 2012 and TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED PESOS (P2,400.00) effective January 1, 2013.
2.  During the transition year of CY  2012, the Corporation will accept initial payments of NINE HUNDRED PESOS (P900.00) as premium contributions from the departing existing and new OFW members of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). This initial payment shall be applied as premium payment for the first nine (9) months of contributions only.
3.  To ensure continuity of coverage and entitlements to NHIP benefits, the member or his/her representative must settle the balance of THREE HUNDRED PESOS (P300.00) to complete the annual premium of P1,200.00 on or before the renewal of membership coverage, regardless of possible gaps in payment, or shift in member category.  In no case shall there be renewal of membership, under any category, without prior payment of the said balance.
4.  The Corporation shall duly notify those members with premium contribution balances via electronic/registered mail, telephone, or courier service, on top of advisory issuances to be posted in the Corporate website.
5.  In consonance with Provision No. 2.3 of PhilHealth Circular No. 019, series of 2011 on Advance Payment, an OWP member may opt to pay his/her premium contribution to more than a year in CY 2012 at an annual premium contribution of P1,200.00.

III.  REPEALING CLAUSE

All other provisions of PhilHealth Circular No. 22, series of 2011 not inconsistent herewith shall remain in full force and effect.

IV.  EFFECTIVITY

This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in any newspaper of general circulation and shall be deposited thereafter with the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Please be guided accordingly.


Adopted: 21 February 2012


(SGD.) DR. EDUARDO P. BANZON
President and CEO