PhilHealth extends July premium payments to Aug 31 for MECQ areas

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) extended the period for July premium contributions to the end of August in areas that recently reverted to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

“To help relieve the hardships currently being experienced by many Filipinos during this crisis, payment of premium contributions of employed members in areas under MECQ for the applicable month of July 2020 is hereby extended until August 31, 2020,” the state insurer said in an advisory.

President Rodrigo Duterte reimposed a MECQ on Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan from August 4 to 18 following pleas from the medical community for a “time out” amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The President then downgraded the lockdown to a general community quarantine (GCQ) in these areas from August 19 to 31.

PhilHealth said it “remains one with the whole nation in ensuring the health and safety of all and prioritizing the protection of lives and livelihoods.” — DVM, GMA News