Our virtual poster for the 23rd Anniversary-Conference of the UP Manila National Institutes of Health is now up for viewing. Title: Financial Risk Protection Amidst the Pandemic: Development of the PhilHealth Benefit Packages for COVID-19Investigators: Melanie C. Santillan, MD; Merla Rose Reyes, RPh; Reiner Lorenzo Tamayo, RN Link to the virtual exhibit: https://nih.upm.edu.ph/nih2021eposters/387 Poster by Neil … Continue reading Conference Poster: Financial Risk Protection Amidst the Pandemic
Philhealth
Op-Ed: Insuring 100 Million People During COVID-19
Happy to share with you our article published by Think Global Health*. In this piece, we narrate the unique role of PhilHealth in the pandemic response and how it will contribute to the country's COVID-19 vaccination plan. To read the full article, please visit this webpage: https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/insuring-100-million-people-during-covid-19 Think Global Health is an initiative of the … Continue reading Op-Ed: Insuring 100 Million People During COVID-19
Should PhilHealth use the centrally negotiated price of drugs in the development of benefit packages?
Price negotiation will help determine the prices of drugs to be included in PhilHealth benefit packages. However, these prices, based on my understanding of the JAO, are applicable to providers under the jurisdiction of DOH. As such, providers who are either private or LGU-sponsored may not directly benefit from it. A consolidated/pooled volume will drive … Continue reading Should PhilHealth use the centrally negotiated price of drugs in the development of benefit packages?
Is the government paying more than it should?
This definition of "overpayment" in the context of FFS is outright wrong. We are accustomed to thinking that paying a peso for every peso is the only right thing to do in a country that is deluged by cases of graft and corruption. Our past has conditioned us to think that paying over or under … Continue reading Is the government paying more than it should?
Should the government “criminalize” efficiency gains?
Efficiency gains should NOT be criminalized because they encourage the health care system to provide the best care we all deserve. At one point in time, HCPs paid under the ACR system will achieve efficiency gains by decreasing the overall cost of health care. HCPs do this by meticulously deciding on what and what not … Continue reading Should the government “criminalize” efficiency gains?
Should the government pay for whatever is on the receipt?
Paying for amounts printed on receipts is tantamount to subscribing to FFS rather than ACR. As illustrated above, this is inefficient and could likely promote external fraud. ACR, however, is far from perfect but averaging should've been the best method to determine the average cost of care needed for a specific case or procedure. The … Continue reading Should the government pay for whatever is on the receipt?
Bill vs. ACR: Should the government pay for whichever is lower?
"Paying whichever is lower does not change the payment mechanism from ACR to FFS." This is true. Choosing to pay whichever is lower will not automatically change the payment mechanism from All Case Rates (Case-based payment) to Fee-for-Service. The "change" in payment mechanism does not depend on how we choose to pay, but on what … Continue reading Bill vs. ACR: Should the government pay for whichever is lower?
Government should provide financial support to PhilHealth
I agree that PhilHealth, as the implementer of the NHIP, should continue providing FP to all Filipinos by reimbursing claims. PHILHEALTH SHOULD NOT DENY CLAIMS JUST SO IT CAN PRESERVE FUNDS and have a longer actuarial life. IMHO, PhilHealth's role as a strategic purchaser of healthcare services/goods is the fulcrum that balances the health and … Continue reading Government should provide financial support to PhilHealth
Principle behind IRM is good
During the Committee Hearing on August 17, Marikina Rep. Quimbo was surprised to know that hospitals are allowed to use funds from the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) for other operational expenses (e.g. salary). Let me reiterate that the same mechanism is expected when "prospective payments" (in the form of global budgets) will be provided to hospitals … Continue reading Principle behind IRM is good
On the corruption allegations against PhilHealth
I get our anger and frustration over the issue. But the claims forms (CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4) are not there to make it "easier" for PhilHealth to pursue corrupt practices. Actually, the forms are there to safeguard the interests of PhilHealth members by allowing the hospital to declare that the standards of care have been … Continue reading On the corruption allegations against PhilHealth
Pens & Needles 