CLARK FREEPORT -- The soon-to-be implemented Health Microinsurance (HMI) shall augment the Universal Health Care (UHC) program of the government, as outlined in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which safeguards equitable access to healthcare for all Filipinos, particularly the poor.
“PDP envisions a National Health Insurance Program that encourages public-private partnerships to respond to the current gaps in healthcare risk protection in the country. PhilHealth provides basic healthcare packages but has not covered medical transport, drugs, and medical supplies outside of the hospital,” Department of Finance-National Credit Council (DOF-NCC) Director Joselito Almario told reporters during the North Luzon Public Consultation on the HMI Policy and Regulatory Framework.
According to Department of Health (DOH), 54 percent of the total health expenditure comprised out-of-pocket expenses.
“HMI shall augment the UHC program through a viable and sustainable private sector microinsurance industry. It shall respond to the needs and paying capacities of low-income and informal sectors. Products have affordable premiums, the benefits correspond to the risks, and claims settlement is fast,” Almario added.
The crafting of the HMI Framework is a collaboration of DOF-NCC, DOH, Insurance Commission, and industry partners with technical support from the German Development Cooperation.
Tuesday’s public consultation is the fourth in a series of five after Cebu, Davao, and Laguna.
Inputs from the consultations will be collated and reflected in the draft framework with the final version to be launched to the public by second quarter of 2015.
Apart from health, the same team is working on Microinsurance for agriculture and climate change. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)
