Media, government info officers briefed on their role with PhilHealth

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing the role of mass media and government information officers in disseminating information to the public, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation yesterday held an orientation on the agency’s laws, programs and benefits especially designed for them.

The orientation is part of the agency’s Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES) for members of Cebu media and information officers, which aims to orient them on the important roles they play in promoting PhilHealth programs.

“Your role as I see it is more on empowering our members with information. In a way you share with us the task of educating our members and stakeholders. More than that, you are also the eyes watching how things are done and oftentimes serves as the bastion sought by the people when their rights and privileges are threatened,” said Ramon Aristoza Jr., PhilHealth executive vice president and chief operating officer.

In his inspirational message, Aristoza said PhilHealth’s public trust is untarnished but when times come that they have to be rebuked for not doing their mandate or worst, betray public trust, media, by all means, should make its responsible, fair and honest criticisms.

But while they are holding fast to their core values that ensure the success of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), Aristoza encouraged the members of the media in realizing their vision.

PhilHealth’s vision is “Bawat Pilipino Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro Protektado, Kalusugan Natin Sigurado.”

William Chavez, PhilHealth-7 vice president, in his welcome message asked members of the media as well as government information officers to be advocates of PhilHealth towards achieving universal health care.

During the orientation, PhilHealth managers talked about the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, which provides Universal Health Care.

Arsenia Torres, senior manager of the Social Health Insurance Academy, discussed the membership program, in which all Filipinos shall be required to enroll in the NHIP especially the indigents.

She said all indigents identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the National Household Targeting System shall automatically be enrolled and covered under the program.

Among the challenges that PhilHealth faces include mandatory membership for all Filipinos, sustain membership coverage and how to cover the uncovered informal economy members, among others.

PhilHealth corporate communication department senior manager Sophia Varlez also said that in 2014, the agency paid P1.5 billion every week or an equivalent of P78.18 billion in benefits for the entire year, as compared to P55.46 billion in 2013.

From January to June 2015 alone, PhilHealth has paid P48.6 billion or P2 billion per week.

“And the good news is, PhilHealth paid within 30 days unlike before which is 60 days,” Varlez said.

PhilHealth’s range of benefits includes inpatient benefits, catastrophic benefits, outpatient benefits, primary care benefits and other special benefits. (FREEMAN)