Equicom Group and JE Holdings of the Gokongwei Family Partner to Reinvent Healthcare through Maxicare

Manila, Philippines – The Equicom Group, the company behind Maxicare, the leading HMO company in the Philippines, and JE Holdings, Inc., announced a strategic partnership that will allow Maxicare to revolutionize its mission of helping Filipinos live their best lives.  

JE Holdings, a privately-held investment company of the Gokongwei family, will become a co-equal shareholder of Maxicare alongside the Equicom Group. The partnership agreement, approved by the Insurance Commission on May 5, 2022, will result in a bigger and stronger Maxicare due to the synergies to be derived from the partnership.  

The Equicom Group, led by Chairman Antonio Go, is a diversified conglomerate engaged in the areas of healthcare, information technology, banking, and financial services.   

According to Mr. Go, the agreement entered with JE Holdings is a partnership of equals that will give Maxicare a stronger foothold in the country’s healthcare industry. “Maxicare is already the top HMO provider in the Philippines; this partnership will only strengthen our lead in the healthcare sector and will help us deliver industry-defining services that will benefit Filipino consumers,” Go said. 

For his part, JE Holdings Chairman Lance Gokongwei said the company is very excited to work with the Equicom Group on this noble undertaking that will further democratize the delivery of essential healthcare services to our countrymen.

“We share Maxicare’s vision for the future of healthcare in the Philippines.  As their partner, we commit our support as they continue to innovate to help bring a better and comprehensive healthcare system in our country. We have high hopes that the synergy from this partnership will provide unparalleled customer experience,” Gokongwei said.

Maxicare CEO Sean Argos shared that the partnership between Equicom Group and JE Holdings will create new opportunities that will elevate healthcare services in the country.  

“We imagine a future where healthcare services in the country will be further enhanced through a new industry-leading healthcare ecosystem that will benefit Maxicare’s medical provider partners and provide Maxicare members better customer experience, affordability, and availability,” said Argos.  

He also shared Maxicare’s plans to expand into new products and services in order to reach and serve more Filipinos, details of which will be announced in the coming months. By leveraging the combined Equicom and Gokongwei ecosystem, Maxicare will now have access to more than 36 million customers, he said. 

Established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation is one of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry in the Philippines. 

As the largest HMO provider in the country, Maxicare continuously provides Filipinos comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers fortified by a strong customer support system. Currently, it services the largest number of HMO customers across the country from corporate segment, small and medium-sized enterprises to families and individuals via its more than 24,000 affiliated doctors and specialists, 1,400 hospitals and clinics, 1,000 dental clinics, 180 rehabilitation, dialysis, and eye centers. 

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About Maxicare

As the largest HMO provider in the country, Maxicare continuously provides Filipinos comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers fortified by a strong customer support system. Currently, it services the largest number of HMO customers across the country from corporate segment, small and medium-sized enterprises to families and individuals via its more than 24,000 affiliated doctors and specialists, 1,400 hospitals and clinics, 1,000 dental clinics, 180 rehabilitation, dialysis, and eye centers. For more information, visit https://www.maxicare.com.ph/.

About Equicom Group

The Equicom Group is a diversified conglomerate engaged in the areas of healthcare, information technology, banking, and financial and leasing services. The Equicom is the company behind Maxicare, the leading HMO company in the Philippines. For more information, visit https://www.equicomgroup.com.ph/

About JE Holdings

Privately held investment company of the Gokongwei Family.

Maxicare Helps Members Reignite their Businesses Amidst COVID-19

Manila, Philippines — Under the “new normal,” business and healthcare go hand-in-hand as industries recover and adapt to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To signify its support to the country’s outsourcing sector, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s premier healthcare provider, joined the Call Center Association of the Philippines’ (CCAP) Serving the World: Contact Islands ‘21 Virtual Conference on Re-Igniting Growth in the New Business Environment.

During the virtual conference, Maxicare hosted a discussion on how COVID-19 will continue to impact the way businesses operate and how the company has been helping ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees.

Living with the impact of COVID-19

Maxicare invited Dr. Edsel Salvana, Director of Institute of Biology and Biotechnology and member of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Diseases, to provide an overview on the COVID-19 situation in the country. During his talk, Dr. Salvana emphasized the need for innovation in ensuring that workplaces are pandemic-resilient and less likely to spread diseases. “There are a lot of innovations that will outlive the pandemic, including working from home. If you don’t need your entire workforce to be in the office, then taking out half of them and allowing them to work from home will be the most effective.” 

Dr. Salvana also expressed his optimism that businesses will flourish better towards the end of the year as we learn to better cope with the pandemic. “If we stick to public health standards and increase vaccination while reinforcing the healthcare system, we will be able to manage our severe cases and the economy can remain open as we continue to roll out our vaccines. We are already seeing the numbers go down, we ask that everyone cooperates. Make sure that aside from getting vaccinated, wear your masks and face shields especially indoors and stick to what you have been doing in terms of protecting each other.”

Re-igniting businesses through innovative and responsive healthcare services

Maxicare’s Assistant Vice-President for Wellness and Medical Resource and Research Dr. JC Sevilla also shared how they are helping partner companies reignite growth through the Maxicare HomeCare COVID-19 Management Program. 

“We know that early detection is the priority when it comes to COVID-19. Our program, which simulates a hospital admission, provides continuity of care from consultation to treatment with 24/7 telemedicine and telemonitoring. Telemedicine includes consultations with in-house physicians where we also provide electronic prescriptions and lab requests. With telemonitoring, we are able to monitor disease progression. The Maxicare HomeCare program also offers medication including Remdisivir and steroids, as well as ambulance conduction if needed. The program is open for all COVID-19 cases and those qualified cases needing confinement.”

Sylvia Stolk, Chief Digital and Transformation Officer also shared how Maxicare is investing in technology to transform healthcare. “Access to basic health services is very important. We are helping businesses by making sure our members are healthy through protection, care continuity and easy access to healthcare, and understanding our members’ state of health through proactive, preventive, and predictive care.” 

“Even before the pandemic, Maxicare already began to strengthen its customer experience vision and principles, where most of the member journey and digital transformation projects are anchored,” said Fiona Victoria SAVP/Group Head of Corporate Sales. 

Some of these digital initiatives include the Maxicare Member Gateway platform for applying for Letter of Authorization (LOA) online, Maxicare Videoconsult for 24/7 video consultations with doctors, and the HR Viewpoint and Enroll Me platforms for human resource personnel. During the first months of the pandemic, Maxicare was also at the forefront of ensuring a manageable return to work process with the Re-Entry Assessment and Management Program. They were also one of the first companies to invest in COVID-19 vaccines, making it available to their corporate partners and their members, including dependents.

“Reigniting the growth of our company, Maxicare, means we are prepared to extend excellent patient service on top of medical care. Re-igniting our progress means being able to map our customer’s journey from their onboarding to their post-medical needs,” added Victoria. 

To know more about Maxicare and its products and services, call their 24/7 hotline 8582-1900.

ABOUT MAXICARE

Maxicare is a part of the Equicom Group, a strong and healthy ecosystem of companies engaged in information technology, computer services, banking and finance, and leasing. We constantly innovate and upgrade our services to meet the ever-growing demands of our clients for convenient, reliable, and delightful experiences. Being the HMO with the largest number of members, we ensure the safety and good health of our 1.6 million members across the country - servicing a wide range of customers from corporations to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, families, and individuals.

As the country’s leading HMO, Maxicare is ISO Certified and continuously provides high quality, comprehensive healthcare programs through our wide network of medical providers and strong customer support. Maxicare has more than 24,000 affiliated doctors and specialists, 1,400 hospitals and clinics, 1,000 dental clinics, 180 rehabilitation, dialysis, and eye centers. 

Maxicare Founder wins Entrepreneurship Award at the 38th Agora Awards

Dr. Roberto Macasaet Sr., Maxicare Healthcare Corporation’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, has been awarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship (Large Scale) at the recently concluded Philippine Marketing Association’s 38th Agora Awards. The awards night was held at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel last November 9, 2017.

Now on its 38th year, the Agora Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of marketing in the Philippines. They have been running since 1979, and have been held by the Philippine Marketing Association, who aims to promote the science and ethics of the marketing profession, and uphold corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship.

Dr. Macasaet has been instrumental in shaping the way the Philippine healthcare industry does business today, through his founding of one of the first Health Maintenance Organizations in the country. He is responsible for introducing healthcare services that have allowed for more flexible options for Filipinos of all income levels and employment. His achievement is truly worthy of recognition, not only showing exemplary business prowess but also a genuine love and concern for the Filipino people’s welfare.

He is also a medical professional by trade, having received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines, and having trained at Fordham University in General Surgery, Urology, and Pathology. He was head of Makati Medical Center’s Department of Urology for three decades, and is currently a member of that hospital’s Advisory Committee. He also serves as chairman of Associated Medical and Clinical Services, and was previously chairman of Fil Hispano Ceramics, Inc. 

When Dr. Macasaet founded Maxicare in 1987, the HMO industry was practically nonexistent. Today, it has evolved into the leading HMO in the country, and has the widest network of providers with over 1,000 partner hospitals and clinics, and over 56,000 affiliated physicians nationwide.

Under his guidance and business acumen, Maxicare has introduced such innovative products and services such as: the Maxicare Multifunction Card, the only HMO membership card that also serves as a lifestyle privilege card and EMV-enabled cash card; the EReady and MyMaxicare Lite, the very first prepaid healthcards in the industry; and the 24/7 TeleConsult Service, allowing Maxicare members to contact a doctor anytime, anywhere, without incurring deductions on their benefit limits.

Dr. Macasaet joins prestigious names from different industries such as William Tiu-Lim, CEO of Mega Global Corp, and Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, President and CEO of The Medical City, both of whom previously won the award.

*This is Press Release