A total of PHP60 billion in excess funds has been officially returned to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) from the Bureau of the Treasury, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

For some PhilHealth members, the return of the funds is seen as an opportunity for the state insurer to deliver more accessible and convenient health services.

Among those hoping to feel its impact is Genesis Hernaez, a PhilHealth member currently processing her papers with the agency to help cover her medical bills. She is set to undergo a second operation next week after new lumps were discovered in her uterus.

"Dun sa inoperahan sa akin, meron ulit silang tatanggalin na may tumubo ulit. Habang ongoing yung pag-process ng laboratories, nilalakad ko po sa city hall, kumapit po ulit ako sa PhilHealth para maka-discount po ulit," Hernaez said.

(In the area where I was operated on, there's something that grew again that has to be removed. While the laboratory processing is ongoing, I've been going around the city hall, and I once again turned to PhilHealth to get a discount.)

She shared that during her first operation, PhilHealth covered 50% of her hospital expenses.

Hernaez, however, pointed out the difficulty of going through the process, especially for patients in delicate conditions.

"Medyo mahirap po yung pupunta ka ng city hall. Pipila ka dun, iinterviewhin. After ng interview, ang haba po e. Sana mas gawin po nilang mas madali, lalo na yung mga pasyente nila — di nila alam ang lagay, dinudugo, hindi sana pahirapang paglakbay na pagkakalayo," Hernaez said.

(It's quite difficult to go to the city hall. You line up there, get interviewed, and after the interview, the process is still very long. I hope they make it easier, especially for their patients — they don't know our condition, we're bleeding, and they shouldn't make the journey difficult given how far we have to travel.)

PhilHealth expressed gratitude to President Marcos for his directive to use the funds in improving health services and reaching more Filipinos.

The state insurer also acknowledged the Department of Finance for its role in the immediate remittance of the amount, as it reaffirmed its commitment to safeguard the trust given by the President and the public.

"Sisiguruhin ng Korporasyon na ang bawat pisong ito ay ilalaan sa pagpapahusay ng mga benepisyo, pagpapalakas ng mga sistema upang mapabilis ang mga proseso, at paghatid sa bawat Pilipino ng serbisyong mabilis, patas, at tunay na mapagkakatiwalaan," PhilHealth said.

(The Corporation will ensure that every peso will be allocated to enhancing benefits, strengthening systems to speed up processes, and delivering fast, fair, and truly reliable service to every Filipino.)

The returned funds are expected to bolster the state insurer's efforts in expanding benefit packages and streamlining administrative operations to better serve its members nationwide.

Marcos earlier said his decision to return the funds to PhilHealth, which he announced in September last year, was in line with his administration's priority of strengthening the country's healthcare system.

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