PBBM backs digitalization of PhilHealth services

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Marcos said Mercado also has “many” ideas on how to make PhilHealth services “more inclusive and expanded.” (PNA photo file by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed support for the plan of newly-installed Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado to digitalize the processes and services of the state insurer.

In a press conference at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos said he had sought the advice of Mercado during the latter’s oath-taking on Tuesday, since the new PhilHealth chief has devoted his whole life to healthcare.

“He (Mercado) is the expert. Tinanong ko siya, ‘Anong sa palagay mo ang kailangan nating gawin?’ Pareho kami, immediately, napunta ang usapan sa digitalization kasi maganda naman ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth ngunit yung pag-process ng claim, ‘yung pag-apply, etcetera, kinakamay pa rin kaya’t napakabagal. And that’s why it became a priority (I asked him, ‘What do you think we need to do?’ Immediately, the conversation went to digitalization because PhilHealth’s service is good but the claim processing, the application, etcetera, are still done manually so it’s very slow. And that’s why it became a priority),” Marcos said.

Marcos said Mercado also has “many” ideas on how to make PhilHealth services “more inclusive and expanded.”

He said Mercado will give a “more detailed” report on his plans for PhilHealth in the coming weeks.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Mercado vowed to address the systemic challenges the PhilHealth is facing, describing them as “illnesses” that need urgent treatment.

Mercado said key areas that require attention include benefits management, claims processing, and financial reporting.

He said he would focus on the digitalization of PhilHealth’s operations to streamline claims processing, reduce opportunities for fraudulent activities, and ensure greater transparency.

Mercado, a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management, replaced Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. who previously headed the insurer.

Marcos, meanwhile, confirmed that Ledesma had left his position at the PhilHealth because the latter is not used to politics.

“He (Ledesma) comes from the private sector so I think he found the transition to be jarring, shall we say,” he said.