Law grad who lost legs in blast among PhilHealth beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines - The female law student who lost both her legs in the bombing incident during the Bar examination in September 2010 in De La Salle University could stand, walk and even run in the near future courtesy of a new program under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“Thank you for prioritizing us in the benefit of the program,” Raissa Laurel-Subijano, who got married last December, told the crowd in Malacañang, where President Aquino led the launching of PhilHealth’s benefit package for persons with disabilities.

She said the government’s newly launched Z-MORPH (Z Benefits Rate for Mobility, Orthosis, Rehabilitation, Prosthesis Help) benefit package restored her confidence and also allowed her independent mobility.

Shortly after the bombing incident, Subijano used a wheelchair but later availed herself of prosthesis, a device that replaces a missing body part. She is now in training for running and boxing.

Aquino himself could not help but commend Subijano.

“Ang hirap sumunod kay (It’s hard to come after) Raissa. Parang we all pale in comparison afterwards. Really, to see someone rising from such a senseless and tragic incident, to somebody, I guess, who epitomizes all of the promise that is in store for the Philippines,” he remarked.

“Again, credit to your parents, credit to yourself, and to everybody who helped her, hopefully we will enable more and more of our countrymen to do the same,” Aquino added, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

Aquino yesterday led the launching of PhilHealth’s benefit package for persons with disabilities, particularly those with lost limbs, during simple ceremonies at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.

He commended PhilHealth for its newly launched Z-MORPH benefit package that aims to provide assistance such as prosthetic legs and other health care services for individuals without lower limbs.

The Z-MORPH benefit package covers initial fitting of external lower limb prosthesis at a package rate of P15,000 per limb or P30,000 for both limbs for the entire pre- and post-prosthetic management of either the foot, symes and ankle or below knee levels of amputation.

PhilHealth launched its historic Z Benefits Packages on June 21, 2012 to provide assistance to members with illnesses like prostate cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, kidney transplant, coronary artery bypass, total correction of tetralogy of fallot and closure of ventricular septal defect.

Aquino also lauded PhilHealth’s complete shift from traditional fee-for-service (FFS) to case-based payment system for all compensable medical and surgical cases.

The case-based payment system is accepted internationally and will now pay a pre-determined amount for all compensable treatments and procedures.

It enables members to immediately know how much they are entitled to in terms of benefits for a specific disease, whether in government or private hospitals.

Also present during the event were Health Secretary Enrique Ona and PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Alexander Padilla.

Padilla said the Z-MORPH program aims to help persons with lost or deficient limbs.

It is expected to boost government’s efforts to protect the interest and welfare of people with disabilities.

“We recognize the equal right of every person with disability to live a productive and normal life by providing them benefits coverage for quality prosthetic services,” Padilla noted.

Eligible members and their qualified dependents can initially avail of the benefit at University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center and Philippine General Hospital, which have the “expertise and capability in setting and providing standard care in the management of limb prosthesis.”

Last year, PhilHealth introduced the Z Package program for members who are faced with “medically and financially catastrophic conditions.”

The Z Package includes coverage for kidney transplant for P600,000; coronary artery bypass for P550,000; and surgery for tetralogy of fallot for P320,000.

According Padilla, the agency has completely shifted from the “traditional FFS to case-based payment system for all compensable medical and surgical cases.”– With Sheila Crisostomo