PhilHealth branch facade
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) forged a formal agreement on Monday with five local government units and two private sector groups of clinics and doctors to form seven primary care networks.
The networks will allow advanced payments to providers even before services have been rendered through a “sandbox” or testing basis in pre-selected areas, according to a joint statement issued by PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH).
An estimated 2.3 million Filipinos will benefit from the networks. Around two million of these are in Baguio City and the provinces of Bataan, Guimaras, Quezon, and South Cotabato. Another 300,000 Filipinos under the care of the LiFE group and QualiMed can also take advantage of improvements in primary care financing.
The seven primary care networks are projected to be paid a total of P1.2 billion, which may be used to improve infrastructure, equipment, and staff compensation even before the first patient starts using services.
“Primary care and essential public health services, integrated with a broader health care network of hospitals and other facilities, is a key element needed for universal health care to happen. Dapat ramdam ng bawat Pilipino ang UHC (Universal Health Care Law),” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.