House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin pointed out that services of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should
be outsourced to expedite the release of assistance to those members who were hospitalized.

“Mas mai-streamline ang admin cost, una ‘yan. Mas magiging mabilis ang serbisyo at malamang mababawasan ‘yung fraud,” Garin said on Friday.

“Alam naman natin na ang bagal ng proseso kasi nga masalimuot ang pinagdadaanan and then nagkakaroon nga ng konting mga inefficiency dahil nga ‘yung mga nangyari noong nakaraan,” the lawmaker added.

The former health secretary said that the PhilHealth insurance should be similar to private insurance or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).

“Ang mangyayari niyan para kang HMO, kapareho ng ating mga private insurance, i-outsource ‘yan Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through a government procurement process, kung sino ang manalo, siya ang magiging service provider, siya ang gagawa ng trabaho ng PhilHealth na makikipagugnayan dito sa ating mga ospital, healthcare providers and healthcare professionals,” she explained.

When asked if such move would make an increase in premium pay, Garin stressed that it would be similar but more efficient.

“Hindi magiging mura pero pareho lang [ang babayaran ng mga member]. Ang magiging difference doon ay iyong efficiency,” the Iloilo lawmaker said.

Earlier, Garin said that the increase of coverage of benefits for PhilHealth members is “doable.”

“Yes, it’s doable (ang pagbibigay ng additional benefits kahit hindi pa nagtataas ng premium pay ang PhilHealth),” she said.

“Ang PhilHealth ay isang insurance, it is a government insurance… Doable talaga at dapat taasan ‘yung coverage doon sa mga sakit na pwedeng magpahirap sayo.”