Duque: Philhealth to Fast-Track Anti-Fraud It Reforms

Department of Health Secretary and ex-officio Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board Chairman Francisco T. Duque III pledged on Tuesday to fast-track the completion of the corporation’s ongoing information technology (IT) reforms to safeguard against fraudulent claims and other forms of cybercrime.

“Information technology reforms are critical in our fight to crack down on fraudulent claims and to ensure that Philhealth data is kept secure. Philhealth is committed to shoring up its IT capabilities as we prepare to implement the Duterte administration’s Universal Health Care program as efficiently and transparently as possible,” Duque said.

A 2018 report submitted by the Information Technology Audit Office of the Commission on Audit outlined several recommendations to improve Philhealth’s IT systems, including the alignment of existing IT systems to Philhealth’s Enterprise Architecture and the establishment and implementation of an information security management system (ISMS).

Duque said that while Philhealth has already been working on implementing the recommended reforms, the impending implementation of the Duterte administration’s P257 billion Universal Health Care (UHC) program brings with it a greater sense of urgency to complete the reforms as soon as possible.

“Philhealth is the lynchpin that ties together the vision of universal access to health care for all Filipinos. We will do everything in our power to ensure that Philhealth is ready to play its pivotal role in bringing President Duterte’s signature Universal Health Care program to life,” Duque said. (DOH PR)