PhilHealth, Philippine College of Surgeons Seal Partnership to Strengthen Quality Assurance and Standards for Surgical Care

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Philippine  College of Surgeons (PCS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement today, April 17,  2026, strengthening the systems that will make quality surgical care more accessible  to Filipinos. 

Under the agreement, PhilHealth and PCS will jointly develop surgical benefit  packages, referral networks, and quality standards, supported by research and  geographic mapping of surgical services across the country. 

The agreement was signed by PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado  and PCS President Dr. Joselito M. Mendoza. 

Surgical professionals are among our most important partners in delivering on  the promise of Universal Health Care. Through this agreement, we are working  with PCS to build the systems that will make quality surgical care more reachable  for every Filipino,” said Dr. Mercado. 

PCS will also ensure compliance of its member-surgeons with PhilHealth policies,  strengthen fraud detection and ethical claims review, and participate in a joint  mechanism for resolving surgical claims and complaints. PCS will likewise identify  and share emerging best practices in surgical procedures to PhilHealth. 

This partnership supports PhilHealth’s mandate under Universal Health Care to  ensure that all Filipinos have access to surgical services that are safe, fairly delivered,  and of the highest standard. 

For details, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or  at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987  or 0917-1109812.