fbpixel

Our website uses cookies to help enhance your browsing experience. Continue to browse our site if you agree to our use of cookies as described in Unilab's Cookie Policy .

For information on how we protect your privacy, please read our Privacy Policy .

PhilHealth’s Konsulta implementation strengthened

Advocacy
Publisher: Daily Tribune | Published October 10, 2024

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is expanding its Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program as part of its commitment to achieving universal health care (UHC) in the Philippines.

Since the enactment of the Universal Health Care Act in 2019, the country has made significant strides toward providing accessible and affordable health care services. PhilHealth's outpatient package has been a key component of these efforts.

However, much work remains to be done to fully realize UHC, as PhilHealth announced Thursday that it is necessary to expand the network of accredited Konsulta service providers and improve communication efforts to ensure that providers and beneficiaries are fully informed about these vital services.

To address these gaps and support PhilHealth in expanding the implementation of Konsulta, the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) convened stakeholders from various sectors, including PhilHealth, local government units, private providers, and patient groups, in a roundtable discussion last September.

During the roundtable, UCHP introduced the Konsulta Manual of Operations (MOP), a guidebook designed to streamline the implementation of the Konsulta program for healthcare providers and local government units.

"We all have a unique opportunity to address the challenges of primary health care," said Unilab Foundation executive director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave. "In this roundtable discussion, we can take small, yet deliberate and steady steps that will advance the 'health for all' promise of Universal Health Care."

PhilHealth's Konsulta program aims to promote proactive health care by providing Filipinos with access to a range of services, including consultations, health risk screenings, laboratory tests, and essential medicines.

Launched nationwide in 2020, Konsulta has seen significant growth in the number of accredited providers. However, the country still faces challenges in meeting the ideal ratio of one primary care facility for every 20,000 Filipinos.

To address these challenges, PhilHealth has engaged in open discussions with stakeholders to identify and address the obstacles hindering the implementation of Konsulta. These include difficulties with finances, facility accreditation, patient registration, patient awareness, and information dissemination.

"The Unilab Center for Health Policy believes in PhilHealth's Konsulta," stated UCHP Program Director Ruben Basa. "That's why, when it was launched, one of UCHP's first priority projects was to develop the Manual of Operations for the Konsulta package."

The Manual of Operations provides a comprehensive guide for healthcare providers on key aspects of the Konsulta program, including membership registration, provider accreditation, social mobilization, benefits availment, provider billing, payment processes, and information systems.

Other Related News

Biogesic’s “Say It With Ingat” Advocacy Campaign Wins Silver at the 2025 Araw Values Awards alt="" draggable="false">

Biogesic’s “Say It With Ingat” Advocacy Campaign Wins Silver at the 2025 Araw Values Awards

Biogesic brought “Ingat” to a whole new level by tackling a growing issue in the Philippine social media landscape: the rise of online hate speech and careless indifference.

Corporate News
Unilab Center for Health Policy concludes Iloilo leg of ‘Konsulta’ multi-sector dialogues alt="" draggable="false">

Unilab Center for Health Policy concludes Iloilo leg of ‘Konsulta’ multi-sector dialogues

The Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) gathered top local officials and health sector stakeholders in Iloilo to discuss ways to improve further the delivery of medical services under PhilHealth’s outpatient package, Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) Program

Health News
Unilab Education and partner universities to work with MIT for responsible use of AI alt="" draggable="false">

Unilab Education and partner universities to work with MIT for responsible use of AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) starts to reshape industries and redefines the global job market, Unilab Education (UniEd) has partnered with

Partnerships
2,000 Cabalens participate in three-day Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair alt="" draggable="false">

2,000 Cabalens participate in three-day Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair

In time for the celebration of World Diabetes Day on November 14, Unilab, Inc., the most trusted and leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company in the country, kicked off its nationwide Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair in Pampanga.

Advocacy
Unilab highlights healthcare quality in World Quality Day celebration alt="" draggable="false">

Unilab highlights healthcare quality in World Quality Day celebration

Unilab, Inc., the Philippines’ largest pharmaceutical and healthcare company, marked World Quality Day on Nov. 14 by showcasing its Quality Alaga initiative, which emphasizes the importance of delivering high-quality healthcare products to Filipino families.

Events
Unilab Foundation initiates program to support mental health of Filipino youth alt="" draggable="false">

Unilab Foundation initiates program to support mental health of Filipino youth

Heads Up PH is the mental health and well-being pillar​ of Unilab Foundation that aims to​ improve the mental health and​ well-being of young Filipinos through​ holistic mental health programs​ anchored on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Framework and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

Advocacy