Unlocking the Full Potential of PhilHealth Konsulta: How Portable Tele-Diagnostics Like IDIS2GO Expand Access and Revenue for Local Governments
The Evolving Landscape of Primary Health Care in the Philippines
With the institutionalization of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law and the rollout of the PhilHealth Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) package, local government units (LGUs) have been thrust to the frontline of delivering comprehensive, accessible, and proactive primary care. This shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge: how can LGUs fulfill Konsulta’s diagnostic, documentation, and follow-up requirements while contending with geographic, infrastructural, and resource limitations?
One answer lies in integrated portable tele-diagnostic systems, such as the internationally certified IDIS2GO solution by SK-Telemed GmbH, which One Top Medical Systems Resources, Inc. (OTMSR) has successfully brought to Philippine government clients. These innovations do not merely supplement existing systems—they enable strategic expansion, compliance, and monetization of PhilHealth Konsulta at scale.
Reframing Telemedicine: From Reactive Tool to Revenue-Enabling Infrastructure
Contrary to limited notions of telemedicine as mere video consultations, IDIS2GO is a complete, mobile diagnostic platform that packages multiple clinical-grade instruments—ECG, spirometer, urinalysis, blood glucose meter, blood pressure monitor, thermometer, pulse oximeter, and more—within a single, portable kit. It captures, stores, and transmits health data securely and interoperably via cloud or offline systems.
For LGUs, this technology represents more than modern convenience. It is a strategic asset that strengthens their PhilHealth Konsulta performance, leading to expanded health reach, improved health outcomes, and increased reimbursements.
How IDIS2GO Directly Supports and Enhances PhilHealth Konsulta Requirements
1. Empowers LGUs to Conduct Comprehensive First Patient Encounters (FPE) Anywhere
PhilHealth requires Konsulta providers to perform a “First Patient Encounter” that includes health screening and diagnostics. IDIS2GO enables medical personnel to mobilize the FPE process, bringing diagnostics directly to barangays, sitios, and isolated communities.
This results in:
Expanded empanelment and registration of beneficiaries.
Increased accessibility and compliance with Konsulta mandates.
Reduction of no-shows and health system dropouts.
✅ Operational benefit: Increased beneficiary base leads to higher capitation funding (up to ₱500 per beneficiary annually) under PhilHealth Konsulta.
2. Enables Full Delivery of Konsulta Diagnostic Entitlements
The Konsulta package includes the following diagnostics:
ECG
Fasting blood sugar
Urinalysis
Chest X-ray
Lipid profile
Spirometry
Pap smear, pregnancy tests, and others
With IDIS2GO, most of these core diagnostics—especially non-imaging ones—can be performed onsite using hospital-grade sensors, processed through SK-Telemed’s clinical support platform, and stored for longitudinal monitoring.
Clinical benefit: Strengthens LGU performance in service availability and clinical completeness—key metrics for performance-based payments from PhilHealth.
3. Drives PhilHealth Performance Tranche Earnings via Field-Based Utilization
Aside from capitation, LGUs are entitled to performance-based payments that reward actual utilization, follow-up, and documentation. However, poor access and diagnostics bottlenecks have historically led to underperformance.
Deploying IDIS2GO to rural areas enables:
Community-based repeat checkups, monitoring, and lab testing.
Time-bound referrals with real-time vital signs.
Teleconsultation support using recorded diagnostics for asynchronous doctor review.
Investing in Innovation: A Revenue-Retaining Strategy for Local Governments
The Department of Health (DOH) recognizes telehealth integration as essential to bridging primary care delivery gaps. But for LGUs, the benefits go beyond compliance:
Reach more constituents with fewer personnel.
Reduce per-patient cost by eliminating redundant or facility-based tests.
Improve financial retention through PhilHealth reimbursements rather than out-of-pocket absorption.
In an era of fiscal decentralization, IDIS2GO is not just a health tool—it is a revenue enabler.
A Scalable Future for LGU-Led Primary Care
The success of PhilHealth Konsulta depends on how boldly local governments act to address longstanding structural gaps. One Top Medical Systems Resources, through its exclusive distributorship of SK-Telemed’s IDIS2GO, invites LGUs to rethink primary care infrastructure: portable, proactive, profitable.
When diagnostics come to the people, revenue follows.
