News
RP Population Now More Aware of PhilHealth - February 8, 2007
MORE and more Filipinos are now aware of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), regardless of their geographical location, socio-economic standing, and gender.
A survey module recently released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) shows that 96 percent of the 1,200 respondents nationwide were aware of PhilHealth, up from 79 percent in May 2005. The same survey also showed that PhilHealth now enjoys a net satisfaction rating of +56, an improvement from the +52 it posted in 2005.
According to Lorna O. Fajardo, Acting PhilHealth President and CEO, the survey results indicated how widespread public awareness of PhilHealth already is. She attributed this to the strengthened marketing efforts of PhilHealth's offices nationwide, and to the continuing build-up of institutional advocates for the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).
"Employers, both in the private and public sectors, are among those who have helped make PhilHealth a by-word, through the replacement of 'Medicare' in their employees' payslips to 'PhilHealth'," she said. Fajardo also credited the media, the partner hospitals, doctors and banks as well as all other stakeholders of the NHIP for the growing awareness of the RP population about PhilHealth.
The module also presented five pre-listed medical benefit options that respondents were asked what they would most prefer in case PhilHealth decides to introduce new benefits. The results revealed that 36 percent of the respondents preferred higher coverage benefits, while another 36 percent preferred the introduction of out-patient benefits. About 15 percent of respondents opted for prescription medicines for out-patient, six percent preferred vaccination and another six percent were for dental benefits.
Preference for higher coverage benefits was highest among those aged 55 and above at 42 percent, followed closely by those in the 35-44 age group at 41 percent, and those in the 45-54 age group at 37 percent. The intermediate youth, or those belonging to the 25 to 34 age group posted 32 percent while the youth group, or those belonging to the 18 to 24 age group, posted 26 percentage points.
By type of employment, preference for higher coverage benefits was highest at 36 percent among those who are working in private enterprises, followed closely by those who are self-employed at 35 percent and those in government at 32 percent. At the same time, 40 percent of those in the private sector preferred out-patient benefits with 37 percent of the self-employed and 35 percent of government workers posting similar preferences.
"Survey results like these serve as a barometer of how we are performing," Fajardo said. "Definitely, we will work harder to improve on our services and benefits so that we remain responsive to the needs of our members."