Effect of a capped-case, fee-for-service payment mechanism on accessibility and affordability of healthcare

In response to a government audit report in 2021, the Philippine health insurance system transitioned its case-based payment system back into a fee-for-service model capped at individual case rates. This commentary discusses the adverse effects of this policy on health care accessibility and affordability in the country. A rapid review of data shows that it may have resulted in delayed insurance payments, increased denial rates, and reduced coverage, and weakened the strategic purchasing capacity of public health insurance, hugely affecting vulnerable populations and public health care facilities. The commentary calls for a reconsideration of the policy and emphasizes the importance of aligning financial auditing procedures with the needs of health-financing institutions. It advocates for a transformation of audits, moving beyond their traditional role as compliance checks, to become valuable tools supporting a nation's health care purchasing strategies, ultimately benefiting both health care providers and the broader public.