The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is appealing to local government units in Negros Oriental to intensify the registration of individuals for its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
Maritess Que, local health insurance officer of PhilHealth, said Oct. 22 that the registration process for the enhanced primary care program is progressing at a slow pace.
“We have already provided the LGUs with YAKAP application forms since September, but registration is very slow,” Que said in a Philippine News Agency report.
She noted that LGUs and rural health units play a significant role, as they are in close contact with the constituents.
She added that only 31,000 PhilHealth members registered under YAKAP have experienced their first patient encounter (FPE) in her area of coverage, from Dumaguete City to Basay in the south.
The FPE requires patients to consult with a YAKAP-accredited physician at a YAKAP center before they can avail of free medicines and laboratory tests covered by the program.
A similar dilemma is experienced in the northern towns and cities, although PhilHealth is still consolidating its data in these areas.
Que said they are hopeful that YAKAP-accredited government health centers, including three private hospitals in Dumaguete, would actively participate in promoting the government’s latest health care program.
YAKAP is an enhanced version of the PhilHealth Konsuta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama), a program that ensures essential medications are accessible, particularly to the financially disadvantaged.
During the Oct. 8 regional launch of the PhilHealth program in Dumaguete, Governor Manuel Sagarbarria said only 25 percent of the province’s estimated 1.4 million population are YAKAP-registered.
The governor said the provincial government is committed to improving healthcare services and ensuring that every Negrense has access to affordable and quality medical care.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to partnering with PhilHealth and other health agencies to bring essential programs closer to the people.
YAKAP focuses on preventive care and early detection of illnesses. A key feature of the program is the PhilHealth Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT), which provides 75 types of medicines with an annual benefit limit of P20,000 per member and dependent.
In Negros Oriental, Nuiqcare Pharmacy serves as the sole accredited GAMOT provider, the Capitol said in a press release.
YAKAP expands its preventive services to include comprehensive cancer screenings such as mammography, breast ultrasound, low-dose chest CT scans, liver ultrasound, and colonoscopy, covered under PhilHealth case rates.
Que said they will enhance their information and outreach efforts, but they also require the assistance of provincial and local government units to optimize the use of YAKAP services. ||
