The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) showcased results of completed studies on the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) through the PhilHealth STUDIES 2017 (Strengthening the Thrust for UHC through Data, Information and Knowledge Exchange Systems) Forum held in Pasig City.

With the theme “Advancing Research in Building Reforms,” the event served as an avenue for PhilHealth partners in the academe and private sector to share their insights in different studies they had undertaken to further enhance the implementation of the NHIP.

The forum, which was organized in partnership with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, showcased seven (7) research studies in two major parallel sessions, namely, improving client experience and reforms in creating responsive benefits.

PhilHealth Interim/OIC, President and CEO Dr. Celestina Ma. Jude P. de la Serna said that the forum “...serves as a venue for PhilHealth partners in the academe and private sector to share their experiences and insights to further improve the processes of PhilHealth in implementing the NHIP.”

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The studies featured in the session for reforms to improve client experience were Health Condition, Health Seeking Behavior and Access to Insurance Among Overseas Filipino Workers which was presented by Dr. Melvin Jabar of De La Salle University-Manila; PhilHealth Support Value Survey by Dr. Ofelia Alcantara of Health Perspective Inc.; and Implementation of Interventions for the I3QUIP Study: A Quality Care Assessment by Dr. Hilton Yam of the University of the Philippines-Manila (UP-Manila).

On the other hand, research studies on reforms to create responsive benefits that were presented in the second session included the 48 Highest Disease Burdens and Priority Setting by Dr. John Wong of Epimetrics Inc.; European Union – Costing of Top 7 Claims in PhilHealth by Dr. Robert Balaoing and Ms. Merla Rose Reyes of PhilHealth’s Benefit Development and Research Department; Protecting Against Financial Catastrophe: Evaluation of Z Benefit Packages on Providing Financial Risk Protection and Improving Clinical Outcomes by Dr. Corazon Ngelangel of UP-Manila; and Philippine Studies in Primary Care – Pilot Study by Dr. Antonio Dans.

Dr. Manuel M. Dayrit of Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health and Nina Carandang of UP-Manila, Dr. Enrique T. Ona of National Kidney Transplant Institute and Dr. Carlo Irwin Panelo of University of the Philippines Diliman served as reactors and provided valuable inputs during the said sessions.