Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa, in an online post, assured that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be "fast, action-oriented and responsible" under his leadership.
Photo courtesy of DOH
On Thursday, June 15, PhilHealth board members met with the new DOH secretary in its 8th regular board meeting in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
In his message, Herbosa reminded that "we at PhilHealth are stewards of the People’s money, that we must promptly and efficiently use to pay for health services that save lives… As much money as we can actuarially pay must be disbursed for health care benefits."
Photo screen grabbed from Sec. Ted Herbosa's Twitter
He is the ex officio, non-voting chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, the latter's highest governing body.
Herbosa and the PhilHealth board members also deliberated on issues concerning the immediate payment of pandemic front-line hospitals, the roll-out of primary care provider networks in "sandbox" sites, and the resolution of hospital appeals regarding claims payments.
"Under my watch, PhilHealth will resolve the appeals of our hospitals and doctors swiftly. We will decide using the principles of compassion and social justice, forgiving those who committed honest mistakes and punishing those who dare take advantage of our national health insurance. Ito ay dahil sa bawat buhay ay mahalaga (This is because every life is important) - we must ensure continuous access to quality health care by our members," Herbosa stated.