BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has paid PHP2.98 billion in benefit payments to accredited hospitals in Western Visayas (Region 6) in the first six months of 2018.
Latest data released by the PhilHealth Regional Office cover the claims in all the provinces in Region 6, including Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guimaras.
In 2017, total benefit payments in the region reached PHP6.643 billion.
Janimhe Jalbuna, public relations officer of PhilHealth-Western Visayas, said on Wednesday the bulk of the claims are paid to Negros Occidental, which received PHP1.1 billion from January to June this year.
Last year, benefits paid to Negros Occidental totaled PHP2.39 billion.
Jalbuna said PhilHealth-Western Visayas has posted one of the shortest turn-around-times in claims processing nationwide, at only 23 days, as of April this year.
This is 37 days ahead of the 60-day statutory period in processing of claims.
Jalbuna said the faster processing time can be attributed to the implementation of the electronic claims (e-Claims) system with accredited health care institutions (HCIs).
The e-Claims, which became mandatory last January 1, is “an interconnected modular information system for claim reimbursement transactions” which begins from the time a patient expresses intent to avail of PhilHealth benefits at accredited HCIs and ends when the claim is paid.
The e-Claims system also provides an auto credit payment to the hospital’s bank account.
PhilHealth-Western Visayas has 108 accredited HCIs, of which 94 or 87 percent, have already shifted to e-Claims.
In Negros Occidental, 31 of the 35 hospitals, including 17 in Bacolod City, are now using e-Claims.
There are 7.182 million PhilHealth members and dependents in Western Visayas, which is equivalent to 92 percent of the region’s total population.
Of the number, 2.74 million are in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, in the national level, PhilHealth posted a net cash flow of PHP11.6 billion for the first four months of 2018, or as of April 30.
During the period, the state health insurer recorded a cash inflow of PHP41.4 billion.
This consists mainly of premium contributions collection at PHP39.2 billion, which is 104 percent higher from last year’s PHP19.2 billion, and investment income at PHP2.2 billion, up by 10 percent compared to PHP2.2 billion in 2017. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
