PhilHealth-10 Public Relations Head highlights the benefits of the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit package, providing immediate financial assistance and essential healthcare support, during the Ang Rehiyon Karon radio program aired on February 28 at DXIM Radyo Pilipinas Cagayan de Oro. (Photo courtesy of RP1 DXIM)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) —The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) introduced the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package, expanding its coverage to include outpatient emergency services and providing immediate financial assistance and healthcare support to its members.
PhilHealth Public Relations Head Merlyn Ybañez said members, including those automatically enrolled through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), can now access both hospitalization and outpatient benefits without needing prior contributions, as long as the hospital is accredited.
“Members can avail [themselves] of the benefits of PhilHealth during hospitalization, during the confinement period, unlike before when they needed at least three months of contributions for medical cases and nine months for surgical cases,” she said.
Ybañez added that in emergencies, financially disadvantaged patients are assessed by DSWD, the hospital, or an assigned representative to determine their eligibility for immediate PhilHealth coverage. “Once the assigned staff assesses that the patient is financially incapable, they can directly register the patient at the hospital under the point-of-service system.
Rezza Mae Docallos shared how the OECB package provided immediate assistance during her son’s blood transfusion, which was done on an outpatient basis. She expressed gratitude for the benefit, which she described as invaluable for families who frequently seek medical care.
“This benefit was something unexpected for me, which is why I was grateful and glad when we were able to use it for my child’s medical intervention. In fact, for that certain transaction, we paid nothing in the hospital. This is very helpful for me and my family,” she said.
Comprehensive coverage
Established under the National Health Insurance Act (Republic Act 7875), PhilHealth has been providing sustainable and affordable health insurance to Filipinos since 1995. Ybañez said the agency assumed responsibility for medical care functions from both government and private sectors, including the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS).
She clarified that PhilHealth’s focus is solely on hospitalization benefits, and it does not provide loan services, which remain under the jurisdiction of GSIS and SSS.
Ybañez also emphasized the importance of PhilHealth membership, which ensures financial security and access to necessary healthcare services.
“It’s important because it provides financial assistance for medical needs and can help in ensuring that they receive health care services. The dependents can also benefit from the same benefits and services. When you say financial security, it means that they have financial risk protection, that in times of need or in times of emergency, they won’t be afraid to be admitted,” she said. (EJSM/PIA-10)
