BACKGROUND

The Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019 aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening primary care. The Konsulta outpatient benefit package is a key component of this reform. However, package availability does not guarantee utilization. Factors such as awareness, perceptions, and attitudes influence benefit use.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the awareness, perceptions, and attitudes regarding the Konsulta outpatient benefit package among working-age Filipino adults consulting at a tertiary government hospital.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 218 respondents. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, awareness, perceptions, and attitudes regarding Konsulta package. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Twenty-one percent (45/218) of Filipino adults were familiar with Konsulta package. Respondents who were aware of Konsulta were generally aged 51-59, female, unemployed, completed secondary education, lived in Metro Manila, diagnosed with chronic disease, and had previous PhilHealth benefit use. Konsulta facilities were found to be moderately accessible, and the package was reported to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and to be easy to avail with short waiting times. However, there were limitations in coverage of health services. Negative attitudes predominated among those who were aware of the package (29/45, 64%), particularly concerning program value and effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Filipino adults consulting at the Philippine General Hospital-Family Medicine Clinic have low awareness level on PhilHealth Konsulta Package. It was perceived to reduce healthcare expenses and to be easy to avail with short waiting times, but limitations in accessibility and appropriateness were reported. Negative attitudes toward program value and effectiveness were identified.

Universal Health Care ; Primary Health Care