Philhealth – TSKI KaSAPI program launched
PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) VI forged ties with Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI), a micro finance institution, as partner in implementing the KaSAPI program in Western Visayas.
PhilHealth Acting President and CEO, Lorna O. Fajardo signed a Memorandum of Agreement with TSKI Chairman of the Board Demy Sonza and Executive Director Angel De Leon last July 28, 2007 at Ecoville Hotel at Bgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, right after the KaSAPI orientation conducted by PRO 6 KaSAPI Team to TSKI field officers.
KaSAPI or Kalusugang Sigurado at Abot-Kaya sa PhilHealth Insurance is a new program undertaken by PhilHealth in response to the challenge of expanding health insurance coverage to the informal economy. TSKI is among the Organized Group (OG) tapped when KaSAPI was piloted in Region 8.
KaSAPI or Kalusugang Sigurado at Abot-Kaya sa PhilHealth Insurance is a new program undertaken by PhilHealth in response to the challenge of expanding health insurance coverage to the informal economy
Recent statistics shows that Philhealth only covers 20% of the total 19 million belonging to the informal sector, which approximately comprises 70 to 80 per cent of the entire labor force of the country.
KaSAPI program was developed generally to provide social health insurance to Organized Groups (OGs) members at affordable cost through the National Health Insurance Program. Specifically it aims to provide access to quality health care services to a wider membership base, sustain membership of the OG members and implement an alternative payment scheme thru partnership with the Organized Groups (OGs).
Initiatives in the formulation of KaSAPI were achieved through a continued and effective coordination of PhilHealth with the Organized Groups such as microfinance institutions (MFIs), cooperatives, Non-Government Organizations (NGO), Peoples Organizations and others, in order to widen access to an affordable and expanded coverage of health insurance benefits to its members.
Partnership in KaSAPI provides members of OGs including their dependents access to quality health care services as well as enjoys portability of benefits through PhilHealth network providers of more than 1,500 facilities and more than 21,000 health care professionals accredited nationwide. Moreover, as a KaSAPI partner, the OGs will be recognized on their sound financial condition and management practices at the same time earn extra incentives from the group premium discount offered by the program. It is also a strong manifestation of the organizations social commitment to its members by giving them with the much needed health insurance coverage. (Janimhe Cam)