EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In order to reduce the financial uncertainties associated with future illnesses, Overseas Filipino Workers are encouraged to enroll themselves in the national health insurance program. However, not all OFWs are enrolled in the program or are actively paying their premiums. The reasons behind this include limited knowledge about Philhealth and its services. This, coupled with poor health-seeking behaviors, had economic and health consequences making it necessary for the government to intervene.
Philhealth is suffering from low premium collections brought about by a decline in membership among OFWs observed in previous years. Therefore, Philhealth is challenged to identify effective strategies that can improve OFWs’ health-seeking behaviors and access to health insurance.
Some strategies that can be considered include the following:
- Expansion of the coverage of information, education, and communication campaign
- Partnerships with government and private agencies to jointly promote public awareness
- Inventory and system for reproducing, updating, and sharing of customized IEC materials
- Digital platforms that remotely provide essential services and address learning needs
Investment in these strategies will be required to address information issues. Such investment, however, will require significant political will, support, and financial investment.
INTRODUCTION
The government plays a crucial role in ensuring that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents have access to quality health services without experiencing financial hardship. Through Philhealth, OFWs are guaranteed financial risk protection against the financial uncertainties associated with the need to use and pay for health care services.
The establishment of the National Health Insurance Program should have led to a steady increase of OFWs who are enrolled as members of Philhealth. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. In 2016, the premium payments of OFW Philhealth members amounted to only P823 million. This is below the P1.2 billion premium payments collected in the previous year. Such a decline has been attributed to a huge drop in membership among OFWs.1
Education, sex, civil status, income, among others, were identified as significant factors associated with OFWs’ health-seeking behavior, and membership in and access to social health insurance.2 In an attempt to address the problem of declining membership, Philhealth has conducted various strategies to increase awareness and understanding of OFWs on the promising contributions of Philhealth that ensure access to health care without the risk of financial catastrophe.
But even with these strategies, only 3.6 million out of approximately 10 million OFWs are Philhealth members. OFWs paid a total of P1 billion in premiums in 2019, significantly lower than the P1.7 billion in benefit claims that Philhealth paid out to them and their dependents in the same year.3 Therefore, there is an urgent need to look at other measures and/or improve current methods that can effectively deliver health messages and membership-related information to OFWs. Philhealth’s awareness campaign should go beyond the traditional and seek to use more effective strategies that can address the knowledge deficit in target audiences.
POLICY ISSUE
Philhealth is suffering from low premium collections brought about by a decline in membership among OFWs observed in previous years. Various factors have been looked at as possible barriers or facilitators to membership in and access to Philhealth. In 2017, sociodemographic characteristics (i.e. age, sex, level of education, income, number of children, and having or not having a partner) were found to be associated with health-seeking behaviors and/or OFW membership in Philhealth.2
Information campaigns tend to have a one-size-fits-all design. Limited knowledge of Philheath membership and premiums and poor health-seeking behaviors were found in some subpopulations (e.g. women, individuals with low education, unmarried, young adults). Thus, increasing the need for audience-specific programs. This is challenging for Philhealth because of the range of migrant occupations and diversity of backgrounds of OFWs. These profiles are essential to consider when developing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials.4
Information is disseminated through limited means. The majority of OFWs get information about Philhealth in pre-departure orientations usually organized by government agencies and private recruitment agencies. It remains unclear whether OFWs acquire the necessary information from these orientation seminars. There have been reports that some agencies do not provide the required seminar but still issue certificates to OFWs.4
Information dissemination lacks coordination among government agencies. In 2015, the POEA stopped collecting OFW Philhealth premium payments which forced Philhealth to market services on its own. Law has also mandated Philhealth to establish overseas satellite offices, or where it is not feasible, designate a focal person in every Philippine Consular Office in all countries where there are Filipino citizens. In 2010, there were only three Philhealth offices abroad.5
Despite efforts to increase awareness among OFWs, Philhealth still fails in effectively delivering its message to the target audience. Thus, membership and premium contributions continue to decline despite government effort to ensure that OFWs and their dependents equally enjoy the promise of universal health care, which is #HealthForAll.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
To address the issue of declining membership, there is a need to analyze several policy alternatives to increase knowledge and understanding of OFWs of Philhealth programs and services. Some of these alternatives were inspired by the best practices of other government agencies in providing services to OFWs. The proposed alternatives are presented below.
- Expand the coverage of information, education, and communication campaign with the help of tri-media
There may not be a need to extend the length of orientations. However, expanding coverage should mean including family members in pre-departure orientation seminars. Whether families remain behind or accompany OFWs, there are issues that might need to be addressed during these seminars. Moreover, pre-departure seminars are not the only means to reach OFWs. Print, broadcast (television and radio), and new media (digital and social media) can also be suitable channels for information dissemination. These platforms, however, are less participatory and more expensive.
- Forge partnerships with government and private agencies to jointly promote public awareness on coverage and benefits for OFWs
Similar to the strategy of several agencies, Philhealth can establish a massive information campaign together with other government agencies that are directly involved in overseas employment. Some examples include the regional information caravans being conducted by OWWA6; comprehensive pre-employment and pre-departure orientation seminars jointly conducted by POEA, OWWA and the Insurance Commission7; and the placement of co-branded promotional displays in airports across the country in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration.8
- Create an inventory and system for reproducing, updating, and sharing of customized IEC materials
Information campaigns for programs and services can be more effectively delivered when anchored to health risks and consequences. An inventory of customized materials produced by government agencies and NGOs, and a system of reproducing, updating or sharing these materials, can be established. Customized materials should address the learning gaps of target populations to achieve a more targeted approach to information dissemination.
- Invest in digital platforms to remotely provide essential services and to address the learning needs of OFWs
Technology is evolving and so should the approach in changing how people live, behave, and decide for their health. Philhealth can develop a suite of digital tools that meets user needs and are free at the point of use. A Facebook or website bot that can provide answers to questions in a personal one-to-one way using mobile phones can be considered. Similarly, online learning systems, such as those being developed by the Department of Labor and Employment, can be vital in reaching OFWs with varying learning needs. Finally, a Philhealth member mobile app can be developed to view statements of accounts and pending payments, apply for reimbursements, upload important documents, and electronically pay for due premiums. Mobile apps can make transactions easier in the comfort of members’ homes.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on this analysis, it is recommended for Philhealth to address the policy issue using an integrated approach comprised of all the suggested alternatives. These alternatives are effective communication strategies ensuring better coverage and access to essential information related to Philhealth programs and services. These alternatives have been used by other agencies around the world and have been proven effective in changing the perception and behavior towards health.
To maximize the benefits of the use of these alternatives, it is recommended that Philhealth invests in studies seeking to enumerate other strategies that prospective members find useful and effective. The use of tri-media and technology can inform a larger audience while considering the unique needs of target subpopulations in most need of information. While Philhealth and the national government can appropriate funds for the implementation of these alternatives, local government units can shoulder some of the implementation costs as part of their health promotion activities.
Policy changes in information, education, and communication can have a synergistic effect in terms of increasing awareness or understanding of Philhealth’s programs and services, providing access to these services especially for those working overseas, and improving health-seeking behaviors. Using evidence-based strategies to address information needs, and thereby increase Philhealth membership, ensures that in our journey to universal health care nobody is left behind.
REFERENCES:
2 Jabar, M. A. (2019). Factors influencing health-seeking behavior among overseas Filipino workers. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 1-13.
3 Yee, J. (2020). PhilHealth to hike premium rates starting next year. Newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1177046/philhealth-to-hike-premium-rates-starting-next-year
4 Asis, M., & Agunias, D. R. (2012). Strengthening pre-departure orientation programmes in Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines. International Organization for Migration and Migration Policy Institute.
6 OWWA holds reintegration info caravan, membership campaign. (2019). Pia.gov.ph. Retrieved 28 May 2020, from https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1029385
