PhilHealth: Indirect contributors won’t lose health benefits

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) yesterday said every Filipino, including indirect contributors of the state-run health insurer, will remain covered.

Last week, the Medical Action Group said the Department of Budget and Management reduced the number of indirect contributors of PhilHealth to 10.626 million, leaving some 30 million indirect contributors facing loss of health coverage.

“PhilHealth is deeply concerned with the misleading statements made by the Medical Action Group on the alleged unilateral removal by the Department of Budget and Management of the PhilHealth coverage of 30 million 4Ps, senior citizens, and PWD members and their dependents for the year 2024,” said PhilHealth.

“This statement is utterly erroneous, misguided, and misinformed,” it added.

PhilHealth stressed that the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 guarantees health insurance benefits for all Filipinos, regardless of the budget Congress provides to the program every year.

“PhilHealth wishes to clarify that all Filipinos, being automatic members of the National Health Insurance Program, are assured of immediate eligibility to their health insurance benefits anytime they are in need of medical treatment at any accredited health facility in the country,” said the agency.

“Every Filipino, especially those in the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, being indirect contributors of the program, can access their benefits anytime they need them as guaranteed by the UHC Law,” added PhilHealth.