TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reported disbursing more than PHP3.73 billion in healthcare benefits to its members in Eastern Visayas in 2023, covering a total of 494,711 claims throughout the year.
According to Philippines News Agency, the regional vice president of PhilHealth Eastern Visayas, this significant payout was the result of heightened awareness among members about the healthcare benefits available to them.
Jabay, during a press briefing on Monday, highlighted the implementation of several benefit enhancements in 2023, including the institutionalization of coverage for up to 156 hemodialysis sessions. "This year, we have increased benefits by 30 percent for selected cases. This marks the first time an across-the-board increase has been implemented," he said. The increase in benefit payments was attributed to expanded membership coverage and heightened awareness, particularly among economically disadvantaged families in the region.
Despite a slight decrease from the PHP3.74 billion paid in 2022, the volume of benefit payments from 2020 to 2022 saw a dramatic rise due to increased demand for health services amid the pandemic. The introduction of the point of service program, which enables financially challenged non-PhilHealth members confined in government hospitals to access PhilHealth benefits, also contributed to the surge in payouts.
"Increasing benefit payouts signify that more members are utilizing PhilHealth benefits, aligning with our mandate to provide financial risk protection to the Filipino people," Jabay added. Eastern Visayas stands out as one of the top regions in the Philippines for swift claims processing in recent years, thanks in part to the adoption of e-claims.
With a total of 4.8 million PhilHealth members and dependents in Eastern Visayas, the demographic breakdown includes 58 percent indigent members, 14 percent from the informal sector, 9 percent each from private sector employees and senior citizens, 7 percent government workers, and 2 percent migrant workers, showcasing the broad reach and impact of PhilHealth's services in the region.