Steadfast in its mission to serve
Q and A with Maxicare Healthcare Corp. President and CEO Christian S. Argos
ESTABLISHED IN 1987, Maxicare continues to provide comprehensive and innovative health care solutions to Filipino. Founded by three doctors, it stays true to its mission of helping people achieve peace of mind through quality health care services. This leading HMO has a vast network of health care professionals and facilities ready to serve Filipinos.
Maxicare also uses the benefits of technology to empower its clients when it comes to taking care of themselves. Christian S. Argos, president and CEO of Maxicare Healthcare Corp., shared with where the company is heading with these innovations. Doctor-Patient medical consultation and testing. By August, we would be opening our first standalone clinic in BGC Taguig City.
At the forefront of all the innovations, programs and services is our utmost care for our members and partners. The Philippine HMO industry is in a transition phase. The industry is looking at opportunities to transform the business and the relationship between HMOs and providers so we can deliver more services to more members.
Maxicare is trying to be one of the drivers for this, we want to go digital. Because it’s a necessity, a prerequisite for improving efficiency. That’s where we are now. A lot of HMOs are starting to transform their operations, get away from paper processes, from manual processes, leveraging technology, automation, self-service tools, mobile applications — these are all buzzwords, but they’re very relevant. It’s also in line with our theme: making sure the members are empowered to make the right decision to address their health concerns. Left to their own devices, they will go to Google, for example. If they have self-service tools that are very accessible and easy to use, like a mobile app or even a kiosk in their office where they can receive health advice, and direct them for follow-up steps, that would be a great leap in efficiency. Our existing kiosks issue LOAs electronically without the need for a person to approve or disapprove it, but all we did was improve the nature of the transaction, but we did not improve the transaction itself, the engagement itself. We’re going to be deploying new kiosks which we hope to roll out as part of our 30th anniversary, and is more interactive. Over the years, Maxicare remained steadfast in its mission to serve. In the midst of stiff competition and evolving market condition, Maxicare did not waver and consistently holds its position as a powerhouse in the HMO industry as proven by the continuing rise in its membership count, sales channels and consistent recognition by the Philippine business world.
We are also very technology- driven. Knowing that our market is very mobile and does not have the luxury of time, we made sure that our new products and services are responsive to their needs. Just take a look at our latest android app called DocHugo. This app allows members to check their medical records, monitor their medication, check or locate a local clinic or hospital or even do teleconsultation 24/ 7 at the tip of their fingers.
These innovations were product of deeper market understanding while using technology to address the concerns of consumers. We do medical missions on our own and in cooperation with some of our corporate clients. They will have a corporate initiative and we work with our doctors to give them resources to conduct medical missions. The recent Maxicare Fun Run was for the benefit of Bahay Aruga, a halfway house for pediatric cancer patients.
We’re supporting a Gawad Kalinga project called “Kusina ng Kalinga: Hunger ends where Caring Begins.” We buy some of their products as giveaways to our corporate clients. The proceeds go to a feeding program of GK.
We work with various schools and provide scholarships. Something not too publicized.
We enhance existing CSR activities of our corporate clients with support from our doctors.
A lot of our activities are about health and wellness. For example, the feeding program.
Health has an impact on everyone. Whether it be through a medical mission or through sponsoring organizations like GK, at the end of the day, we raise awareness on the importance of managing your health, both from a wellness perspective and a palliative or curative perspective. It is the vision of the company to reach more Filipinos in the future. And we can only do that if we combine our passionate care ( with innovation.
As we progress in the future, we will be introducing more products and services tailored-fit to the needs of the individuals while leveraging on latest technology. These will be supported with modern infrastructure to support the delivery of flawless customer experience.