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— PhilHealth (@teamphilhealth) January 2, 2025
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The new head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) intends to improve the agency’s processes through “digitization.”
Digitization is defined as converting and recording data.
In a Malacañang press briefing, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Marcado said a digital system will facilitate claims processing, reduce fraudulent activities and increase transparency.
“Kapag naipatupad namin yung digitization ay magagawa rin natin na yung mga claims ay mapa-flag din,” Mercado told reporters.
(When we have implemented digitization, we will also be able to flag excessive and questionable claims.)
“Yung claims na maaaring sumosobra o yung maaring kung tawagin ay may halong kataka-taka kung bakit ganuon kalaki iyong mga claims nila,” he pointed out.
Moreover, the new PhilHealth chief says better technology will prevent the abuse of the system and ensure that public funds support the Filipinos’ healthcare needs.
Aside from digitization, Mercado emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the national insurer’s internal workings.
“Ako bilang manggagamot, parang tinitingnan ko rin po ang PhilHealth na may sakit at inaalam ko rin po, ano iyong lunas,” Mercado said.
(As a physician, I also look at PhilHealth as sick and I am trying to find out the treatment.)
“So, yun po yung aking unang kailangang gawin – aralin pong mabuti kung ano po yung mga prosesong kailangang baguhin para po [masunod] yung directive po ng ating presidente… na tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo at palalawigin pa natin iyong benepisyo.” he added.
(So, that’s the first thing I need to do – study carefully what are the processes that need to be changed to be able to follow the directive of our president… to continue and extend PhilHealth benefits.)
On February 4, 2025, Mercado took his oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The appointee is a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management.