In a significant move to ease financial burdens, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has announced a one-time waiver program for interest charges on missed premium payments. This directive comes directly from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aiming to help employers and self-employed members settle long-standing obligations.
What the PhilHealth Interest Waiver Covers
The program, effective as of the announcement, applies strictly to incurred interest charges and not to the unpaid premium contributions themselves. This targeted approach is designed to assist those whose debt has ballooned primarily due to compounded interest over time. By removing this added burden, PhilHealth aims to make it easier for members to clear their arrears and restore their active, good standing with the national health insurance program.
This policy underscores the administration's focus on economic recovery and sustained healthcare access by addressing a critical barrier for many Filipinos. It recognizes that the interest, rather than the principal, has often been the obstacle to settling accounts.
Key Mechanics and Settlement Window
To further facilitate settlement, PhilHealth is providing a generous one-year payment window from the effectivity of the implementing circular. During this period, outstanding premium contributions must be paid. Importantly, the corporation is incentivizing early settlement: employers who pay earlier within the prescribed period may qualify for greater reductions on remaining interest, including partial or full waiver, depending on their chosen payment term.
Separate guidelines are being prepared for different sectors. The detailed mechanics for the self-employed are being finalized and will be issued soon. Meanwhile, the guidelines for the employed sector will also be published shortly to ensure orderly implementation.
Safeguards and Requirements for Employers
The program includes important safeguards to ensure it benefits the wider healthcare ecosystem. Employers who avail of the one-time interest waiver are required to register their employees under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and ensure the completion of the First Patient Encounter (FPE).
This requirement reinforces that the waiver's intent is twofold: not only to recover missed contributions but also to actively connect workers and their families to accessible primary care services, thereby enhancing the program's overall health outcomes.
PhilHealth is encouraging all eligible employers and members to take advantage of this limited, one-time opportunity. The public is advised to await official announcements for precise implementation timelines and specific payment arrangement options, particularly for the self-employed sector.
For inquiries, employers may contact PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987, or 0917-1109812.
