The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Cordillera Administrative Region (PhilHealth-CAR) has made significant strides in ensuring healthcare coverage for its residents. As of July 2024, the regional office reported that 1,622,607 members have been enrolled, representing 87% of its targeted 1,862,659 members for the year. This achievement highlights the region’s dedication to the Universal Health Care Act, which aims to provide health benefits for all Filipinos, particularly in geographically disadvantaged areas like the Cordillera.
PhilHealth-CAR’s continued push for membership is part of its initiative to expand health coverage across its provinces. Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province are among the provinces benefiting from the program. With nearly 1.9 million Cordillera residents as the enrollment target for 2024, PhilHealth is working extra hard to ensure no one is left behind in accessing much-needed health services.
PhilHealth-CAR Enrollment Figures by Province
The region’s current membership numbers demonstrate the strong progress made towards this goal. Abra province leads with 203,728 members, followed by Benguet with 442,401 and Baguio City with 439,779. The rest of the provinces—Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province—also show robust membership numbers, underscoring the collective efforts of local government units (LGUs) and PhilHealth to register citizens. These members consist of 854,945 direct-paying contributors, while the remaining 767,662 are dependents.
According to PhilHealth-CAR Regional Vice President Dr. Dominga Gadgad, the importance of achieving full enrollment by the end of the year will ensure that every Cordilleran can avail of health services. During a press briefing in Baguio City, she reiterated that PhilHealth is actively collaborating with the LGUs and other government agencies to enroll contract workers and job-order employees who may not be dependents of their spouses, making sure they also have access to healthcare benefits.
Efforts to Reach Unenrolled Citizens
One of the key strategies implemented by the agency to achieve full enrollment involves scouring villages across the CAR to find and register individuals who have not yet signed up. Janet Palaez, head of the PhilHealth-Baguio Local Health Insurance Office, explained that this approach helps ensure inclusivity, reaching remote areas where residents might not be aware of their eligibility for PhilHealth membership.
Additionally, PhilHealth-CAR is in negotiations with other government agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to enroll their job order and contract of service workers. These partnerships aim to either subsidize the premiums for these workers or establish mechanisms for the collection of contributions.
PhilHealth Benefits for Cordillera Residents
PhilHealth-CAR’s efforts are not just about enrollment but also about ensuring members can access the health services they need. By the end of July, the regional office had collected PHP1.196 million from its 1.6 million members. In return, it released PHP301 billion in benefit claims, with top illnesses such as pneumonia, hemodialysis, and caesarean section procedures receiving significant support.
Dr. Gadgad encouraged members to make use of PhilHealth’s wellness package under the Konsulta program, which provides preventive services such as basic laboratory tests. She stressed that the aim of the program is not just to treat illnesses but also to promote overall wellness, allowing members to maintain good health through early detection and preventive care.
Sustainability of the Group Enrollment Program in CAR
In line with the region’s goal to expand health insurance coverage, the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) has also endorsed the sustainability of PhilHealth’s Group Enrollment Program (GEP). With this, the agency hopes to mass-enroll informal economy workers, including contract workers, job-order personnel, and self-employed individuals who may not have consistent access to healthcare.
Under the GEP, LGUs are urged to allocate local funds to cover the premiums of marginalized communities. This initiative is part of the RDC-CAR’s social development agenda, which aims to uplift the socio-economic conditions of Cordillerans, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. In 2022, PhilHealth-CAR enrolled 16,352 individuals under this program, with 13,916 beneficiaries able to avail of benefits amounting to PHP79.9 million.
Collaboration with Local Government Units
The successful implementation of the Group Enrollment Program relies heavily on the collaboration between PhilHealth and LGUs. RDC-CAR and PhilHealth’s partnership is seen as a model for providing social health insurance to underserved populations, ensuring that even those who cannot afford to pay premiums receive protection.
The continued efforts to expand health insurance coverage through both individual enrollments and group programs are vital to achieving universal health care in the Cordillera Administrative Region. PhilHealth-CAR remains committed to its mission of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to all residents, particularly those in the informal sector and marginalized communities.
Video: PhilHealth Organizes KonSulTa Caravan in CAR
PhilHealth-CAR’s impressive membership numbers highlight its dedication to achieving universal health care in the region. The agency has enrolled 1.6 million members, reaching 87% of its target for 2024. Continued collaboration with local government units and agencies, including activities like KonSulTa Caravan, ensures that even the most vulnerable populations can access healthcare benefits.
Final Thoughts
PhilHealth-CAR has enrolled 87% of its 2024 target, with 1.6 million members across the region. This achievement is part of the agency’s effort to provide universal health care to all Cordillerans. The Group Enrollment Program and partnerships with LGUs play a crucial role in expanding coverage to informal workers and marginalized communities. The regional office continues to push for full enrollment by the end of the year, ensuring every resident has access to essential health services.