Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed support for the plan of newly-installed Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado to digitalize the processes and services of the state insurer. In a press conference at Malaca±an Palace, Marcos said he had sought the advice of Mercado during the latter's oath-taking on Tuesday, since the new PhilHealth chief has devoted his whole life to healthcare.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that Mercado is an expert in the field and immediately directed attention to the digitalization of PhilHealth's services. The conversation highlighted the need to transition from manual processes to digital ones to improve efficiency in claim processing and applications. Marcos acknowledged that while PhilHealth provides good service, the manual operations make the process slow, leading to digitalization being prioritized.

Mercado has proposed various strategies to enhance the inclusivity and expansion of PhilHealth services. He is expected to deliver a comprehensive report on his plans for the state insurer in the upcoming weeks. During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Mercado committed to tackling systemic challenges within PhilHealth, describing them as issues requiring urgent solutions.

Key areas identified by Mercado for improvement include benefits management, claims processing, and financial reporting. His focus on digitalization aims to streamline operations, minimize fraudulent activities, and promote transparency. Mercado, who brings 35 years of hospital management experience as a US-trained orthopedic surgeon, succeeded Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. in leading PhilHealth.

Marcos also confirmed that Ledesma departed from his role at PhilHealth due to difficulties adapting to the political environment, noting that Ledesma's background in the private sector made the transition challenging.