PhilHealth: 93% of Filipinos covered by health insurance

MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-seven million of the country’s projected 104 million population have been covered by social health insurance as of the end of 2017, an official reported yesterday.

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Roy Ferrer said 93 percent of Filipinos are now enrolled in PhilHealth.

“The war on population coverage has been won, judging by the way health care can be accessed, especially by the poor,” Ferrer said.

He said PhilHealth remains committed to provide all Filipinos with adequate financial access to health care, a right that is provided under Republic Act 7875.

Ferrer said the agency was expanding its benefit packages to provide for the needs of the people.

“We no longer worry about the poor getting discouraged to see a doctor because PhilHealth has empowered them to decide right away,” he said. 

PhilHealth has launched various projects, including the Point-of-Service (POS) program to reach out to more Filipinos.

The POS ensures that all patients who enter a hospital will get the treatment they need, duly paid for by social health insurance.  

Under the program, those who are not yet members of PhilHealth get enrolled when they come to accredited health facilities for their medical needs, provided they meet certain criteria.

“The POS makes it possible for the financially incapable to avail themselves of health insurance where it matters most, that is, when a health situation occurs and a family decides to seek hospital treatment despite financial constraints,” Ferrer said.