PhilHealth Restructuring Approved by GCG to Improve Healthcare Services

The Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) approved the reorganization of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to address long-standing issues. PhilHealth's responsibilities under the Universal Health Care Act led to the restructuring to improve healthcare services for Filipinos.

PhilHealth submitted its application for organizational restructure in November 2022, with a partial approval granted later that year. The reform aims to address outdated workforce, fragmented data, strategy execution, and benefit claims issues.

The restructuring includes a revamped organizational structure with 503 units and 7,149 positions to enhance service delivery and fulfill the mandate under the Universal Health Care Act. Centralization of administrative functions is expected to resolve operational inconsistencies and conflicts, maintain public responsiveness, and improve healthcare delivery.

The internal audit office of PhilHealth will be strengthened to handle operational complexity. A new unit, Benefit Payment Appeals Office, is created to process appeals on benefit claim payments for better case disposition and healthcare incentives.

The GCG, under RA No. 10149, has the authority to reorganize, retain, abolish, merge, or privatize GOCCs after consultation with the relevant department.

Department of Health Secretary and PhilHealth Board of Directors Chairperson Teodoro Herbosa expressed that the reorganization was eagerly awaited by PhilHealth staff and the public. The DOH has collaborated with the GCG to ensure that PhilHealth's structure aligns with the Universal Health Care implementation.

According to the source: Inquirer.net.