PASIG CITY – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) have signed a two-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA aimed at strengthening member protection, promoting patient rights, and expanding access to legal support for Filipinos under the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin M. Mercado and IBP National President and Chairperson of the 27th Board of Governors Atty. Allan G. Panolong led the signing ceremony held at the IBP Building in Pasig City.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between PhilHealth and the country’s national organization of lawyers to improve support systems for PhilHealth members, particularly in addressing concern related to healthcare benefits, patient rights, and access to information.
Under the partnership, PhilHealth and the IBP will work together to promote greater awareness of members’ rights and entitlements under the UHC Act through joint information and education campaigns. The two institutions will also collaborate on policy initiatives that seek to enhance patient welfare and improve the delivery of healthcare services.
The agreement also covers collaboration in health law and policy development, capacity-building programs, continuing legal education for PhilHealth lawyers, and raud prevention efforts. These initiatives are expected to stregthen PhilHealth’s ability to deliver responsive services and ensure that members receive the benefits and protections they are entitled to under the law.
A key feature of the agreemet is the provision of free legal aid activities for qualified PhilHealth members, particularly those who are indigent or marginalized, on matters related to healthcare benefits and claims. PhilHealth will support initiatives by providing the necessary information and documentation for facilitate legal assistance.
The Partnership will likewise support the enhancement of existing dispute resolution mechanisms within PhilHealth to further improve service delivery and ensure that member concerns and benefits-related issues are addressed in timely, fair, and efficient manner.
Through this partnership, PhilHealth reaffirms its commitment to protecting the interest of its members and advancing Universal Health Care by ensuring that Filipino not only has access to health insurance coverage, but is also equiped with the information, support and legal safeguards meeded to fully enjoy their healthcare rights.
