PhilHealth, hospital groups meet to increase access points

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

IMPROVING HEALTH SERVICES. PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado (front row, left) holds a consultation meeting with private hospital groups and national associations in this undated photo. PhilHealth said Thursday (Feb. 20, 2025) discussion focused on PhilHealth’s commitment to improve its efficiency, address wastage, and optimize processes to ensure that hospitals receive timely payments for their claims. (Photo courtesy of PhilHealth)

MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) held a consultation meeting with private hospital groups and national associations.

President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado met with heads and representatives of the Metro Pacific Health Corp.

, Mount Grace Hospital Group, Unilab Foundation, AC Health, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., and Philippine Hospital Association, the state insurer said in a news release Thursday.

Their discussion focused on PhilHealth’s commitment to improve its efficiency, address wastage, and optimize processes to ensure that hospitals receive timely payments for their claims.

Mercado and the hospital executives agreed to increase access points for primary care.

“We recognize the significant role that private hospitals play in delivering quality health care services to Filipinos. We can only leverage their capacities when we build a sphere of trust and effective coordination,” he said.

The hospitals taking on primary care will facilitate the completion of Health Care Provider Networks, which aims to bring Universal Health Care closer to every Filipino.

Mercado will also meet with government hospitals managed by the Department of Health and local government units.