PhilHealth slates 35% increase in benefits
A healthier nation will celebrate with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she marks her birthday this Sunday, April 5. The presidential birthday treat? A significant increase in health benefits to some 66 million Filipinos who are member-beneficiaries of the government’s Philippine Health Insurance Program (PHIP).
Dubbed as “PhilHealth,” the program will see a 35% increase in existing benefits without increasing the premium contributions. Further still, universal coverage is being ensured which meant more health services particularly for the less privileged in the community.
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rey Aquino was in town yesterday to deliver the good news. A press conference was called and with Aquino were PhilHealth executives, John Basa, Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and First Vice President Tito Mendiola. The trio was joined by PhilHealth Regional Office 6 Regional Vice President Alberto Mandurriao. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas was likewise present as he renewed his support to PhilHealth.
“I am very happy with the benefits availed by the PhilHealth beneficiaries in Iloilo City. So far, at least P22 million in those benefits reached the people especially the indigent members. PhilHealth also made possible the release of capitation funds that helped our PhilHealth accredited health centers buy more medicines, health equipment and upgrading of the centers,” Mayor Treñas said. “Under my administration, I will make sure that the membership will increase and not decrease.”
Meantime, Aquino explained that the increase in PhilHealth benefits was timed on the President’s birthday as a perfect opportunity to mark her administration’s full-support to the PHIP.
“It was because of President Arroyo that PhilHealth grew and we are meeting the target… we are optimistic of reaching the target,” Aquino added.
Incidentally, three Western Visayas provinces made it in the recent PhilHealth list of local government units with universal PhilHealth coverage.
Mandurriao in his report disclosed that these provinces are Capiz, Aklan and Guimaras. Province of Antique is expected to follow suit while Iloilo and Negros Occidental has since been on the universal coverage-track.
“With these we are also making sure that quality health care is availed by the people with accreditation process thoroughly checked by PhilHealth… doctors and hospital accreditation go through an elaborate process,” Mendiola for his part shared.
Questions on anti-fraud measures were also addressed by Mendiola who said that in the Visayas, decisions have been made on cases of fraud and related complaints.
“It’s a continuing process… we have decided on several and we are just awaiting implementation of these decisions,” he added.