PhilHealth, PSA set data sharing pact

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) have formalized a joint undertaking on data sharing of death information records.

The partnership agreement will help PhilHealth fulfill its mandate of maintaining an accurate database of members in aid of expanding its benefit packages and improving service delivery, while minimizing if not eradicating fraud in claims reimbursements.

Under the agreement, PhilHealth shall provide PSA with electronic lists of identified members and their dependents, which would then be matched with the latter’s death records. 

The PSA will also develop a matching program called Decentralized Vital Statistics to validate the lists to be submitted by PhilHealth.

In his message at the virtual signing ceremony, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dante A. Gierran said the data sharing agreement “also translates to data integrity that would further help PhilHealth to remain steadfast and committed to its vision, that is, ‘Bawat Filipino, Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro, Protektado, Kalusugan ng Lahat, Segurado.’”

Dr. Claire Dennis S. Mapa, Undersecretary, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, said: “We have been engaging in data sharing agreement with several agencies as the demand for accurate information increases. 

“Despite the continuing challenges and constraints of the pandemic, we can still work together to improve the accuracy in our system and extend our capacity to promote honest and integrity in public service,” Mapa added.

To ensure the confidentiality of data, both agencies have committed to strictly abide by the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.