PhilHealth-CAR hits 87% of 2024 enrollment target

By Liza Agoot

September 10, 2024, 5:17 pm

<p><strong>HEALTH COVERAGE</strong>. Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation - Cordillera Administrative Region guest at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing in Baguio City on Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2024). The regional office has already enrolled 1,622,607 members as of July, near their 1,862,659 target for 2024. <em>(PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)</em></p>

HEALTH COVERAGE. Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation - Cordillera Administrative Region guest at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing in Baguio City on Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2024). The regional office has already enrolled 1,622,607 members as of July, near their 1,862,659 target for 2024. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Cordillera Administrative Region (PhilHealth-CAR) on Tuesday said it has enrolled 1,622,607 members as of July, already 87 percent of the target this year.

There are now 203,728 members in Abra; Apayao has 94,671; Benguet, 442,401; Baguio City, 439,779; Ifugao, 144,872; Kalinga, 158,758; and Mountain Province, 138,398.

The enrolled 854,945 are direct-paying members, indirect contributors or subsidized by the municipal, provincial, city or national governments; while 767,662 are dependents.

“We target the enrollment of 1,862,659 million up to the end of 2024 to ensure that no Filipino will be left behind in availing health benefits,” Dr. Dominga Gadgad, PhilHealth-CAR Regional Vice President, said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing here.

Janet Palaez, PhilHealth-Baguio Local Health Insurance Office chief, said they scour villages to find and register those who have not yet been enrolled.

She disclosed that they are negotiating with local government units and government agencies in the region to enroll job order and contract of service employees who are not dependents of their spouses.

“We are negotiating with the DOH (Department of Health)-CAR, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and the city government and we hope to agree on terms. Either they subsidize or they become collection agents,” she added.

Paid benefits

Records show that PhilHealth-CAR collected PHP1.196 million from the 1.622 million members as of end-July.

The agency, in turn, has released PHP301 billion in claims for the same period.

The top illnesses and services with claims paid included hemodialysis, pneumonia moderate risk and caesarian section for births.

Gadgad said members who are healthy and are not getting sick may avail of the wellness package, like basic laboratory services, for continued good health under the Universal Health Care law.

“Wellness package is also covered by the Konsulta package so have yourself listed to be able to have your first patient encounter and be referred to have your wellness package,” she added. (PNA)

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