SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is expanding its Konsulta program to enhance early disease detection and outpatient care, aiming to reduce hospital congestion and improve public access to preventive health services.
Dr. Raynon Gerard Ramos, chief of the Collection Section, stated that Konsulta provides comprehensive outpatient benefits, ensuring members receive timely and appropriate medical care without requiring hospital confinement.
“Konsulta is designed to provide comprehensive outpatient benefits, ensuring that our members receive timely and appropriate medical care without needing to be confined in hospitals,” Ramos said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday.
The program covers free laboratory tests to support early disease detection, increasing the number of available tests from 13 to 15.
These include complete blood count (CBC) with platelet count, urinalysis, fecalysis, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), oral glucose tolerance test, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, creatinine, hemoglobin A1C (HBA1C) test, sputum microscopy, and fecal occult blood test.
Additionally, ultrasound and mammogram have been added to the list of diagnostic services offered to members.
Dr. Josephine Quiton, chief of the Field Operations Division, stated that nearly all Rural Health Units (RHUs), district hospitals, and several medical centers across Region 1 are accredited Konsulta providers.
As of early 2025, 176 healthcare facilities—161 government-run and 15 private—are part of the program, with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) among the latest additions.
“Our data show that while 1.5 million Filipinos in Region 1 are registered under Konsulta, only 757,000 have availed of its benefits. This means we need to encourage more members to maximize the program,” Quiton said.
Dr. Janet Manaois, chief of the Benefit Administration Section, clarified that there are no restrictions on the frequency of availing Konsulta services as long as they are deemed necessary by healthcare providers.
“Konsulta is meant to be preventive, helping Filipinos maintain good health before conditions worsen,” she explained.
The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a strengthened and expanded healthcare system.
As PhilHealth marks its 30th anniversary this year, the agency is set to enhance its programs further, including improved benefits for heart disease treatment, mental health services, and expanded maternity care packages. (CCMT/AMB/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
