The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has begun implementing a one-time interest waiver program to help employers, self-employed individuals, and other covered members settle overdue contributions and restore their good standing with the National Health Insurance Program.

PhilHealth said the move follows a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and aims to ease the financial burden caused by accumulated interest from missed premium payments.

Under the policy, the waiver applies only to interest charges incurred from unpaid contributions and does not cover the principal amount of unpaid premiums. PhilHealth said the program is intended to assist employers and self-employed members whose arrears have significantly increased due to compounded interest, while ensuring the continued delivery of benefits to members and employees.

To further support compliance, PhilHealth has provided a one-year settlement period from the effectivity of the implementing circular, during which outstanding premium contributions may be paid. Employers who settle their obligations earlier within the prescribed period may qualify for higher interest reductions, including partial or full waivers, depending on the payment term.

PhilHealth said guidelines for employers in the employed sector will be released soon, while separate implementing rules for the self-employed sector are still being finalized to ensure orderly implementation.

As part of the program’s safeguards, employers availing of the one-time interest waiver are required to register their employees under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program and ensure completion of the First Patient Encounter, in line with PhilHealth policy. The agency said this requirement is meant to strengthen access to primary care services for workers and their families.

PhilHealth encouraged eligible employers and members to take advantage of the limited, one-time opportunity and advised the public to wait for official announcements on implementation timelines and payment arrangements, particularly for the self-employed sector.