PhilHealth Konsulta package boosted

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently released more than P257 million representing the first tranche of capitation payments to Primary Care Provider Networks (PCPNs).

According to PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr., this is to boost the nationwide implementation of its expanded primary care benefit package or the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) Package.

The move, Ledesma said, is expected to help accredited Konsulta facilities under the partner networks to ensure readiness to serve patients availing of Konsulta services from consultations to health screening and assessment, to the dispensing of essential drugs and medicines and laboratory procedures as recommended by qualified physicians.

Ledesma said that this initial wave of releases will definitely hasten enlistment of members under the networks’ catchment areas and facilitate patients being seen by the providers that they have chosen.

“This is an investment in the general welfare of the Filipino people. Nakahanda kaming mag-invest sa Konsulta para makaiwas ang marami sa pagkakasakit o maagapan ang karamdaman para hindi na lumala,” he added.

The state insurance agency has allotted P30 billion this year to intensify the implementation of Konsulta in more participating networks to cover more regions especially in geographically isolated and depressed areas.

One Konsulta beneficiary in the person of Luyda Abadiano from Talisay City, Cebu expressed her appreciation for the Konsulta program.

“High blood gyud ko. Mao na'ng nakaingon ko magpa-check-up na gyud ko. Nakadungog mi naay PhilHealth Konsulta, nalipay mi pagkahibalo nga naay free consultation,” said Abadiano. — (FREEMAN)