- Philhealth celebrated its 21st anniversary on Friday, February 19, 2016
- This paves way to the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- The MOA is about the inclusion of orphans, abandoned, surrendered, neglected and abused children to the coverage of Philhealth services
February 19, 2016 marked the 21st anniversary of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth); a government health insurance firm.
In an article written by Jocelyn R. Uy and published by Inquirer.net, it was cited that as part of the government’s universal health care program, the Philhealth and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have signed a Memorandum of Agreement. (MOA)
The MOA is about the inclusion of orphans, abandoned, surrendered, neglected and abused children who are under the care of the DSWD to the coverage of Philhealth services.
Explaining further for the media practitioners, after the celebration which was held in Pasig City, is Philhealth president Alex Padilla.
According to him, “Normally, they are not covered by PhilHealth because they have no known parents and because they are below 21.”
However, as a part of the new innovation to achieve the universal health care, Padilla further stressed, “The institution taking care of the children will act as the parent. They will be the one who will certify if a child is really an orphan and is registered with the institution.”
Meanwhile, stated in the MOA is the obligation of the DSWD to take charge of the payment of each enrolled child with P2,400.00/3 children as annual premium.
At least 3,000 children will be included upon the initial roll-out of the expansion program of Philhealth.
Furthermore, Padilla informed the press people that children under the care of private institution will soon be included among the recipients.
Also included in Padilla’s press briefing is the announcement of the five private hospitals which agreed to offer its Case Type Z Benefit Package to Philhealth registered patients.
Type Z Benefit Package refers to the so called “catastrophic” illness. It can be severe coronary heart disease, congenital heart defects or a patient with ventricular septal defects.
The five hospitals which can be found in separate areas in the Philippines are:
1. St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City
2.Manila Lorma Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union
3. Angeles University Foundation Medical Center, Angeles City Pampanga
4. Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Lipa, Batangas
5. St. Paul’s Hospital , Iloilo City
The University of the Philippine-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) also committed to be the pioneer provider of the Z Benefit Package for colorectal cancer as it formalized its commitment by also signing an agreement.
The benefits included in the package for colon cancer are, Stage 1 to 2 (low risk), which is worth P150,000 up to Stage 2 (high risk) to Stage 3, which is worth P300,000. However, sick Philhealth members should pass the selections criteria.
Monetory coverage ranges from P150,000 to P400,000 and will cover the entire course treatment of the illness.
The package is previously offered only in government hospitals, but the expansion and opening of the package to private hospital institutions became a must.
According to him, this has been the wish of the Health Secretary Janette Garin.
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