TACLOBAN CITY (CIO 02/24/2020) — Over 4 million people in the 6 provinces of Eastern Visayas still don’t have PhilHealth coverage. This was disclosed by PhilHealth Acting Regional Vice President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez during the Universal Health Care Orientation on Monday in Tacloban City.

“Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, everyone is granted immediate eligibility, provided they apply for PhilHealth coverage, ” said Hernandez.

The official likewise encouraged public and private primary health care providers in the region such as clinics, rural health centers, and hospitals to apply for accreditation under the PhilHealth Konsulta or the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama Packages as part of the full implementation of the UHC. The accreditation will enable members to have more access to primary health care, he said

Basic medicines, maintenance drugs, and basic diagnostic services will be enjoyed for free the member under the Konsulta Program, which is set to be launched June this year.

Meanwhile, the government health insurance firm is encouraging its over 500,000 members in the region to update their membership data as this will help deter fraud claims and hasten the processing of benefits.

On the other hand, as part of the validation of claims the Official disclosed that they have fielded 11 special investigators to conduct an investigation of 80 hospitals in the region for fraud/ghost claims.

Erring health care providers will face a cancelation of their accreditation and payment of claims, and add to that the filing of appropriate charges, it said.

Last month the insurance firm increased its premium rate to 3 percent from the previous 2.75 percent for all direct contributors, including employees, household service workers, self-employed individuals, practicing professionals, and overseas Filipino workers. As a result of the increase, a member earning ₱10,000 will now pay a ₱300 contribution, instead of the previous ₱275. – H.J. Roca/CIO