PhilHealth accredits more healthcare providers in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has intensified its campaign on Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama by accrediting more health providers in Central Visayas as an initial step in adopting a comprehensive approach to delivering primary care.

PhilHealth has committed to making essential outpatient services such as consultations, health screening and assessment, laboratory tests, and medicines available to all Filipinos en route to adopting a comprehensive approach to delivering primary care, as prescribed under Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

The Konsulta benefit package may be availed by PhilHealth members and their declared legal dependents in an accredited facility of choice.

Registration may be processed initially through the nearest PhilHealth LHIO and later on, may be done through self-registration online.

This is an opening door developed through the “Bayanihan” spirit characterized by the National Health Insurance Program and the progressive realization of UHC in addressing the nation’s health needs.

Some of the minimum requirements for accreditation of Konsulta providers, in terms of service capability, include the ability to conduct preventive/screening services and health education, the capability of providing services for required laboratory and radiologic services, and the capability to dispense required medicines, as indicated in the Annexes of PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-0021.

In the promotion of this cause, PhilHealth Regional Office 7’s Accreditation and Quality Assurance Team along with the Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIO), facilitated a series of strategic dialogues, focus-group discussions, and courtesy calls with health care facilities and local chief executives to collaborate with them toward this advancement in health care.

Prospect partners from the urban areas to the rural health units in the islands were highly regarded for their crucial role in the delivery of health care.

Orientations about the benefits package and its accreditation guidelines are done virtually and face-to-face.

From only one last year, there are now 24 hospitals in Cebu island, five in Bohol, and one in Negros Oriental accredited by PhilHealth for this program.

For Cebu, those that have been accredited are the district hospitals of Badian, Barili, Oslob, Tuburan, and Daanbantayan, Camp Lapulapu Station Hospital in Cebu City, Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban, Bogo City, Carcar City and Danao City, Carcar Women and Children Lying-in Polyclinic and Laboratory, Dr. Ildefonso Alcantara Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete, Dr. Jose Ma. Borromeo Memorial District Hospital in Pinamungajan and Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao, Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital in Argao, Malabuyoc Rural Health Unit, Mariano Jesus Cuenco Memorial Hospital in Malabuyoc, Minglanilla District Hospital, Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City, Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, Camotes Island; San Remigio Rural Health Unit, and the Deiparine Community Hospital in Sibonga.

“As [a partner] agency of the DOH, it is our commitment to really implement successfully the Konsulta Package. So far, we’re fortunate that the reception of hospital chiefs, doctors, and nurses [is] proactive. I hope makuha na namon ang inyong (we can get your) support to really successfully implement the Konsulta Package in your respective areas,” said RVP Cabrieto during a discussion with health facilities under the catchment of LHIO Carcar City.

PhilHealth 7’s Accreditation and Quality Assurance Section, headed by its chief, Dr. Maria Eliza Batucan, continuously encourages and invites both private and government health facilities to apply as Konsulta providers. — GMR (FREEMAN)