PhilHealth eyes primary care expansion with private hospitals

PhilHealth, under new Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, met with leaders from eight private healthcare institutions and associations to enhance claims processing efficiency and expand primary care access.

The meeting included representatives from Metro Pacific Health Corporation, 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.

Dr. Mercado requested these private hospitals to expand facilities and other avenues for providing primary healthcare for all Filipinos, emphasizing their crucial role in achieving Universal Health Care.

This initiative aims to reduce waste, ensure timely payments to private hospitals, and foster better coordination within the healthcare system.

Future meetings are planned with government-run hospitals and those managed by local government units to further solidify PhilHealth's role.

Mercado replaced Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., who faced criticism regarding PhilHealth's idle funds, a portion of which was surrendered to the National Treasury before a Supreme Court TRO halted the transfer.