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“Effective July 1, 2015 covering the applicable period of June 2015, all premium contributions of employers and their employees in the government and private sectors shall be made at any of PhilHealth’s accredited collecting agents (ACAs) or through e-Payment facilities,” read Circular No. 009-2015, which President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander A. Padilla signed May 27.
The task of receiving premium payments will be shifted to the ACAs “because that is their primary competence and that is what they do best,” Mr. Padilla said in a text message.
“They can also reconcile the accounts to ensure accuracy and honesty. Besides paying to them is much more convenient for our members and even faster if you see the long lines at our local offices,” he explained.
A complete list of all accredited collecting agents can be accessed throughhttp://www.philhealth.gov.ph/partners/collecting/agents.html. Aside from 44 banks, also listed are several e-payment and remittance options, as well as several accredited local government units in regions II, IV-A, IV-B, V, VIII, X and XII.
With the mandatory payment of premium contributions to ACAs, the circular said “only premiums from micro-firms, employers with less than 11 employees and Kasambahays shall be accepted at PhilHealth offices.” Kasambahays refer to household helpers now required to be covered by the state insurance program.
Exemptions will be granted in areas or provinces classified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS) with no available Internet service provider and ACAs. In such cases, PhilHealth offices will still accept premium payments and soft copy reports.
Offices will also accept soft copy reports in cases where there are ACAs but no available Internet service providers.
“Exemptions shall be granted... until such time that access for payment and electronic reporting can be provided,” the circular stated.
Mr. Padilla said this is akin to other government corporations’ shift towards outsourcing of collections “to make us focus well on our key functions.”
He added that no one at PhilHealth will lose their job. “If need be, they will be retooled or retrained,” he said.
The circular took effect after its publication in a major newspaper on June 1. -- Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato
Exemptions will be granted in areas or provinces classified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS) with no available Internet service provider and ACAs. In such cases, PhilHealth offices will still accept premium payments and soft copy reports.
Offices will also accept soft copy reports in cases where there are ACAs but no available Internet service providers.
“Exemptions shall be granted... until such time that access for payment and electronic reporting can be provided,” the circular stated.
Mr. Padilla said this is akin to other government corporations’ shift towards outsourcing of collections “to make us focus well on our key functions.”
He added that no one at PhilHealth will lose their job. “If need be, they will be retooled or retrained,” he said.
The circular took effect after its publication in a major newspaper on June 1. -- Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato
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