By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in Western Visayas (PhilHealth-6) announced yesterday that they will be hiking the premium contribution by 4.5 percent next year.

Janimhe Jalbuna, PhilHealth-6 Public Affairs Unit head, said the hike is based under Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, in which contributions are set to increase yearly, which began in 2020.

Despite the increase, PhilHealth will also implement new health benefits, such as the Konsulta Package which will provide outpatient care and health services.

“May Konsulta [Package] na kita, kun sa diin libre na ang inyo consultation, libre na ang diagnostics, libre na ang bulong,” Jalbuna said.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth-6 Planning Unit head Michael Avelino said the 2.8 million of Negros Occidental’s 3.2 million population are already registered members and dependents of the state-run health insurance agency.

Avelino is urging Negrenses to register to avail of the available health benefits./DGB, WDJ