PhilHealth eyes lower out-of-pocket expenses

Reducing patients' out-of-pocket expenses from 45 to 25 percent is being targeted by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

- By RHODINA VILLANUEVA — With Delon Porcalla

"Based on our estimate, 45 percent of total health care expenses are being shouldered by our kababayans. These include purchase of outpatient drugs, hospitalization and preventive care," acting PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado said yesterday.

Cutting patients' expenses is also being taken care of by the Department of Health through its population-based health care programs such as vaccinations, he noted.