Philhealth eases payment schedule as PHL Covid-19 cases rise to 6,981

THe company paying for medical expenses of covid-19 patients announced it has extended the deadline to May 31 of payment of premiums for all direct contributors whose payments are due for February to april.

in an advisory on Thursday, the state-run Philippine Health insurance corp. (Philhealth) said it is issuing a moratorium on contribution payments for applicable months of February to april considering that the “economy is witnessing the temporary suspension and closure of businesses, causing inevitable unemployment and loss of income.”

“Payment of premiums for the applicable months shall be extended until May 31, 2020 without interest for all direct contributors,” read Philhealth advisory 2020-027 signed by its President and chief executive Officer Ricardo c. Morales.

Philhealth said it “remains one with whole nation in ensuring the health and safety of all and prioritizing the protection of lives and livelihoods.”

employers implementing a skeletal workforce arrangement are requested to ensure that employees with no earnings or income are properly reported using the RF-1 form.

employers who have temporarily stopped operations are asked to submit an electronic copy of a properly accomplished er-3 form to their respective accounts Officer, Philhealth said.

as of april 23, the Department of Health reported 271 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the country at 6,981. The first case was reported 84 days ago on January 30.

The DOH also announced 29 new recoveries, bringing the total to 722.

Death toll in the country due to covid-19 reached 462, including 16 new deaths. Bernadette D. Nicolas