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PhilHealth conducts SHInES for its media partners October 4, 2018
PASIG CITY – Media dignitaries were recently invited to the Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES) hosted by the state social health insurer here in its head office. The event was attended by a good number of respected members of the press.
SHInES is a continuing campaign of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to spread awareness of the benefits, programs, and services of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) among its members and stakeholders.
In her opening remarks, Social Health Insurance Academy Senior Manager Arsenia B. Torres recognized the support that PhilHealth receives from the mass media. Torres said, “I believe in your capacity as influencers of our society’s perception and it is with great admiration that I praise your efforts in upholding the truth as well as honesty and integrity. I take solace in the notion of having found active and dependable advocates in you.”
Further, Torres provided the participants with an overview of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and a detailed presentation on how PhilHealth dispenses health care financing to its beneficiaries.
Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Acting Senior Vice President for Health Finance Policy Sector, touched the topic of PhilHealth benefits and programs. Pargas effectively conveyed the expansive coverage of PhilHealth. According to him, the government-run corporation does not only cover medical confinements but also outpatient procedures, preventive care services for selected membership categories, and even illnesses that are catastrophic in nature.
The former PhilHealth Spokesperson also reiterated the safeguards to PhilHealth benefit grants such as qualifying contributions and, starting October 1, 2018, the requirement of sufficient regularity of payment (SRP). The SRP rule shall necessitate availing patients to have additional 6 months contribution preceding the 3-month qualifying contributions for the past 6 months prior to the first day of confinement or availing benefits.
Third to take the stage was Renato L. Limsiaco Jr., Acting Senior Vice President for the Fund Management Sector. He assured every one present that the NHIP fund was stronger than ever and even posted record income in the first half of the year. Limsiaco was able to portray a flawless depiction of PhilHealth’s robust financial standing and the factors that contributed to such fiscal gains.
Lastly, updates on the pending Universal Health Care (UHC) bill were offered by Cir Rodney Cacatian, Planning Officer III of the Corporate Planning Department. He gave the participants a first-hand glimpse of future PhilHealth undertakings and structure reforms once the bill was cast in stone.
The SHInES for Media was a definitive success in PhilHealth’s thrust to educate Filipinos on their roles and responsibilities as catalysts of the NHIP. It has also done its purpose of empowering the participants to actively seek out proper treatment for what ails them. END (JJ Rico)
