GOV'T HEALTH INSURANCE. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation-Bicol (PhilHealth-5) Regional Vice President Alberto C. Manduriao answers media questions during the 'Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas' forum at Bicol Foods Delights in Legazpi City, Albay on Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2024). He said the agency now has 146 accredited service providers under its Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) comprehensive outpatient benefits package. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Bicol is taking steps to improve its services and provide knowledge and information to residents of remote areas of the region about the government's health insurance program.
During Tuesday's "Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas" at Bicol Food Delights here, Alberto C. Manduriao, PhilHealth-Bicol regional vice president, said every weekend, PhilHealth personnel conduct talks and an information education campaign (IEC) to residents in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
"We don't stop informing the members, especially in remote areas. We want them to know that the government is ready to help the people when they are sick. We will continue to inform them about the programs, packages, and benefits that they can avail of, particularly the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) comprehensive outpatient benefits package," he said.
Manduriao said they also engage in radio programs in the six Bicol provinces to let the people know and encourage everyone to be part of the health insurance of the government.
"We also have health desks in various local government units (LGUs). We prioritize the far-flung areas for bigger coverage, and we have local health zoning," he said.
Manduriao said PhilHealth-Bicol has 146 accredited service providers under its Konsulta comprehensive outpatient benefits package ready to provide health care services.
He said they have 29 accredited facilities in Albay; Camarines Norte -- 22; Camarines Sur -- 36; Catanduanes -- 12; Masbate -- 18; and Sorsogon -- 29.
He added that through the Konsulta package, PhilHealth added 32 essential drugs, totaling 53 available free medications.
"Sa Konsulta, libre na po ang check-up sa isang primary care professional. With free primary care check-ups and maintenance medications for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, we urge all Filipinos to register with the Konsulta provider nearest and most convenient for them (At Konsulta, check-ups are now free with a primary care professional. With free primary care check-ups and maintenance medications for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, we urge all Filipinos to register with the Konsulta provider nearest and most convenient for them)," he noted.
Manduriao said the budget per patient for Konsulta has also increased from PHP500 to PHP1,700, now including mammograms and ultrasounds for early breast cancer detection.
He also said PhilHealth-Bicol had paid PHP4.23 billion in benefit availment with an average turn-around time of 16 days, faster than the mandated 60-day processing period.
Out of 6.3 million Bicolanos, 5.52 million were recorded as PhilHealth members. (PNA)
