ZAMBOANGA CITY – As part of its continuing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in health financing, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) hosted a round table discussion with accredited health care providers and institutions on May 9 at LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City. The dialogue centered on the implementation of the PhilHealth Financial Management and Reporting Enhancement Program (PFinMaREP)—a nationwide initiative aimed at streamlining benefit claims reconciliation and reinforcing financial integrity between PhilHealth and its institutional partners.
Spearheading the event was Paolo Johann C. Perez, Regional Vice President of PhilHealth Regional Office IX, who underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to ensure the efficiency and transparency of financial processes. He emphasized that accurate and timely reconciliation is essential not only to PhilHealth’s operational performance but also to the financial sustainability of health care providers.
“Account reconciliation is not just a routine task,” Perez said. “It is a cornerstone of financial integrity and accuracy.”
A key highlight of the event was the ceremonial signing of claims reconciliation reports between PhilHealth and participating hospitals-an act that formally documented the results of joint account reviews and underscored the shared commitment to transparent financial practices.
The round table brought together medical directors, finance officers, and hospital administrators from across the city, who shared insights, challenges, and practical recommendations for enhancing the implementation of PFinMaREP. Among those who spoke was Dr. Rodelin M. Agbulos, Medical Director of the Zamboanga Puericulture Maternity Lying‑In Hospital, who affirmed the initiative’s positive impact.
“With the introduction of this program, we were able to have a very clear picture of what and where are we with regards to the collection of claims that we had,” Dr. Agbulos shared.
Established under PhilHealth Circular No. 2023-0028, PFinMaREP institutionalizes the periodic reconciliation of benefit claims and promotes accurate financial reporting in alignment with national policy directives. These include the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act (Republic Act No. 11032), the Philippine Accounting Standards, and recommendations from the Commission on Audit (COA). The initiative also supports PhilHealth’s transition toward a fully automated accounting and benefit claims system through digitalization.
Participants welcomed the reforms and offered constructive feedback to further improve implementation. Suggestions included the simplification of digital tools for health care providers, the development of real-time dashboards for claims monitoring, improved internet connectivity in rural areas, and the provision of continuous training and technical support. The event concluded with a unified commitment to strengthen collaboration between PhilHealth and its health care partners. Both parties reaffirmed that financial transparency and effective reconciliation are not merely administrative obligations but essential components of delivering efficient, equitable, and quality health services to the Filipino people. (PR)
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