Philippines joins DRG workshop in Bangkok, pushes hospital payment reform

THE Philippines is stepping up its healthcare reform as it joins the Asia DRG Regional Workshop on June 23 to 24, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. As part of the undertaking to shift to Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) payments, the Philippines brings to the table both pioneering ambition and urgent experience in reshaping how hospitals are paid and patients are protected.

HEALTHCARE REFORM The PH contingent to the DRG workshop, composed of representatives from PIDS and PhilHealth. PHOTO FROM PIDS

The event, supported by the World Bank, brings together regional and global experts to exchange insights on DRG design, cost containment, and claims review using advanced analytics. The Philippine delegation — comprising representatives from PIDS and PhilHealth — will share the country's early lessons as it transitions away from the All Case Rate system toward a more equitable, efficient, and data-driven approach to provider payment.

DRG reform is a key mandate under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, aiming to realign hospital incentives toward quality and value. With technical leadership from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies–Health Economics and Finance Program (PIDS HEFP), the country’s initial efforts include developing fair payment rates, upgrading data systems, and institutionalizing performance monitoring.

Participation in this regional platform strengthens the Philippines’ position as a trailblazer in health financing reform and accelerates local efforts to protect patients from financial hardship. More than a policy innovation, DRG implementation is a public commitment to helping ensure that no Filipino is denied care or driven into poverty by hospital bills.

The Philippine contingent is comprised of Jhanna Uy, Supervising Research Specialist and Program Manager, PIDS HEFP; Sarah Reem Hesham Mohamed Hagag, Senior Technical Specialist and Project Manager, PIDS HEFP; Lea Elora Conda, Senior Technical Specialist and Costing Operations Lead, PIDS HEFP; Lyle Daryll Casas, Senior Research Specialist and Communications Co-lead, PIDS HEFP; Therese Jules Tomas, Research Analyst and Policy/Costing Analyst, PIDS HEFP; Reinard Francisco, Medical Specialist III, PhilHealth UHC Surge Team; Rene Pascua, Senior Social Insurance Specialist, PhilHealth PMT Claims; and Arsenio Alcantara, Medical Officer V, Benefits Administration Section Head, PhilHealth NCR Central.