PH lawmaker urges health insurance arm to outsource
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine lawmaker Janette Garin has urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to outsource its services to streamline operations and provide better value for its members.
According to Garin, fraud incidents will be reduced if PhilHealth outsources its day-to-day processes.
Under this arrangement, PhilHealth will operate as a private insurance or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), which will be outsourced throughout the country through a government procurement process.
“Whoever wins the bid will be the service provider; they will be the ones to do PhilHealth’s job to coordinate with hospitals, healthcare providers, and healthcare professionals,” Garin said, per the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
She clarified that membership contributions will not decrease. Outsourcing will simply aim to streamline operations.
PhilHealth, a tax-exempt government corporation attached to the Department of Health, was formed under the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 (RA 7875). It is mandated to provide social health insurance coverage and affordable and accessible health care services to all Filipinos.
