News
PhilHealth seeks stakeholders' views on benefit program review - September 12, 2007
Various stakeholders of the Philippine Health insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently joined the series of discussions aimed at soliciting their suggestions and recommendations on how the proposed review of the PhilHealth benefits program will be undertaken. In her welcome remarks, Lorna O. Fajardo, Acting PhilHealth President and CEO said that the Corporation is prompted to "scientifically study the benefit package in view of the environmental realities" and to ensure "...better financial protection, good health outcomes and quality care" for members.
The forum, which was held at the Astoria Plaza in Ortigas, was also attended by PhilHealth's Senior Management officers who contributed their inputs as well. Senior Vice President for Operations Ernesto V. Beltran suggested that total health spending should also consider the under-utilization of hospitals run by local government units because these are cost drivers of health care.
Patricia Gomez, President of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP) raised the issue on midwives allegedly no longer being allowed to handle home deliveries despite providing the pre-natal care for patients for the first two trimesters. She suggested that PhilHealth look into the matter in light of the review of the maternity care package.
Former DOH Undersecretary Mario Taguiwalo was tapped as project consultant for the proposed benefit program review. He facilitated the four consultative sessions attended by PhilHealth stakeholders representing health care provider associations, medical societies, academe, legislation, local government units, World Health Organization, United States Agency for International Development, Asian Institute of Management, and the University of the Philippines.
In the same dialogue sessions, Fajardo bared PhilHealth's plan to automate its key business processes to achieve greater efficiency. "Enrollment should be easy with automation. We have to make it easy for our members to transact with PhilHealth," she said.
PhilHealth Board Member Susanita Tesiorna representing the National Anti-Poverty Commission - Basic Sector, proposed that PhilHealth include health packages for work-related diseases, particularly for members in the informal economy.
Also present during the sessions with stakeholders were PhilHealth officers (L-R): Evelyn Bangalan, Manager/Officer-in-charge for Internal Audit Department, Dr. Shirley Domingo, Vice President/Manager for Foreign Assistance Coordinating Office; and Dr. Madeleine R. Valera, Senior Vice President for Health Finance Policy and Services Sector.