LET’S GRANT THE FREEDOM TO USE ONLINE TELEMEDICINE CONSULTATIONS

 LET’S GRANT THE FREEDOM TO USE ONLINE TELEMEDICINE CONSULTATIONS

Telemedicine is no longer a pandemic experiment. It is the future knocking at our clinic doors.

In 2026, the government is pushing to institutionalize online consultations as a permanent part of healthcare delivery. While private hospitals and clinics have long allowed doctors to decide whether to offer online consultations, the real issue lies elsewhere: reimbursement. If insurance companies—including PhilHealth—do not fully recognize and pay for teleconsults, then this “freedom” becomes theoretical rather than practical.

To its credit, PhilHealth has rebranded and expanded its primary care package into PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), replacing the old Konsulta package. The reforms are significant. The medicine list under GAMOT has expanded from 21 to over 75 essential drugs. Cancer screening such as mammograms and ultrasounds is now integrated. The old eKonsulta system is being phased out in favor of certified Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) so patient data can follow you even if you transfer clinics. The goal? Zero cash-out in public facilities.

All of these are commendable. But here is the lingering question: Are online consultations fully reimbursed?

Officially, PhilHealth says yes—through a capitation model where accredited providers are paid annually per enrolled member. In theory, teleconsults are covered. In practice, however, many clinics report uncertainty, delays, or technical obstacles in claims processing. Some accredited facilities still hesitate to rely on telemedicine reimbursement.

I understand PhilHealth’s caution. The agency has suffered from high-profile fraud cases in the past. No public institution wants to open another door to abuse. But we now have technology to prevent fraud. Multifactor authentication, QR-coded e-prescriptions, biometric verification, NFC cards, even facial recognition—these are no longer science fiction. If banks can protect billions in digital transactions daily, surely we can safeguard digital medical claims.

Meanwhile, Congress is deliberating the proposed Telemedicine Development Act, which aims to establish a national regulatory framework. It seeks to ensure that the standard of care for a virtual consultation matches that of in-person visits and that patient data privacy is strictly protected. That is the correct direction.

Cost-wise, teleconsultations are generally cheaper. A GP teleconsult in private apps ranges from ₱500 to ₱600; specialists may charge ₱700 to ₱1,500 or more. Standardization could make pricing transparent, but we must tread carefully. Doctors rightfully argue that professional fees reflect years of training and enormous responsibility. The debate should not pit affordability against professional dignity.

There are also practical realities. A smartphone cannot palpate an abdomen. A blurry video cannot replace a stethoscope. Telemedicine works best for follow-ups, mild respiratory symptoms, skin conditions, mental health consultations, and prescription refills—not for emergencies or complex diagnostics.

Resistance among private doctors largely centers on delayed reimbursements and administrative burdens tied to EMR compliance. Trust, once shaken, is hard to rebuild. If PhilHealth wants wider participation, faster and automated payments are essential.

Yet despite the hurdles, we must adapt. Rural patients save travel costs. Working parents avoid long clinic queues. Senior citizens reduce exposure to infections. In many cases, a 10-minute video call can prevent a condition from worsening into a hospitalization.

Freedom to use telemedicine should not mean forcing it on everyone. It should mean removing unnecessary barriers so that when patients and doctors mutually agree that an online consultation is appropriate, the system supports them—not penalizes them.

Healthcare in 2026 must be digital, inclusive, and secure. Let us grant the freedoms—but let us also build the safeguards, the trust, and the fairness that make that freedom sustainable.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com senseneres.blogspot.com 09088877282/04-15-2027

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