LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program is now offering expanded outpatient benefits in Ilocos Norte, as mandated by the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
PhilHealth aims to accredit all rural health facilities in the province as primary healthcare providers, ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality health services for every resident.
PhilHealth Konsulta focuses on proactive healthcare by addressing medical concerns early and providing affordable access to essential medications.
Alvin Luciano A. Ubasa, Social Insurance Officer I and Public Relations Officer at PhilHealth Ilocos Norte, underscored the program’s significance.
“A key component of the Konsulta Package is the provision of selected and affordable medications, ensuring that patients have access to the treatments they need without incurring significant financial strain,” he said.
Through the Konsulta program, members can register with a PhilHealth-accredited Konsulta Package Provider (KPP) of their choice. This gives them access to comprehensive primary care services, including consultations, health risk assessments, and selected laboratory and diagnostic tests.
Currently, 23 healthcare institutions in Ilocos Norte offer the PhilHealth-Konsulta package, including: Adams Rural Health Unit (RHU), Bumanglag Specialty Hospital, Currimao Municipal Health Office, Dingras District Hospital, Dumalneg Rural Health Unit (RHU), Gaoat Hospital, Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital, Karmelli Clinic and hospital Inc., Karmelli Clinic and Hospital Pinili Inc., Marcos Municipal Health Office, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, MSR Healthcare Clinic, Municipal Health Office of Bangui, Nueva Era Rural Health Unit (RHU) , Pagudpud Adventist Wellness Center, Pagudpud Rural Health Unit (RHU), Piddig District Hospital, Piddig Rural Health Unit (RHU), Pulmocare Health Center, San Nicolas Municipal Health Office, Sarrat Rural Health Unit (RHU), Solsona Rural Health Unit (RHU), and Black Nazarene Hospital Inc.
PhilHealth continues to accredit both public and private outpatient medical clinics as Konsulta Package Providers.
Ubasa encouraged residents of all ages to register.
“Everyone to our kakailians are eligible for PhilHealth Konsulta and simply need to register with a PhilHealth-accredited KPP. This registration ensures continuity of care, as the designated KPP doctor serves as a guide to the most effective and affordable health services based on the patient’s individual needs,” he said.
How to register
Ubasa outlined three easy registration methods for members.
Members can log in or create an account on the PhilHealth Member Portal for Member-Initiated Registration.
They can also do PhilHealth-assisted registration which is available at PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs), PhilHealth Customer Assistance, Relations and Empowerment Staff (PCARES) at hospitals, and through the PhilHealth Action Center Hotline.
Finally, they can avail of third-party assisted registration, which is offered through Konsulta Package Providers, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other authorized agencies.
To comply with the UHC Law, all members must re-register with a KPP to ensure every Ilocano has a designated primary care provider.
Ubasa called for continued public support for the National Health Insurance Program, emphasizing the importance of maintaining active membership.
“I hope we will continue to support the National Health Insurance Program to get our benefits by being members of Philhealth, we must remember the four M’s – Mag-seguro (Get insured), Mag-parehistro (Register), Mag-update ng record (Update your record), at Mag-bayad ng kontribusyon (Pay your contribution),” he said.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that all residents of Ilocos Norte have a trusted healthcare professional to address their health needs and guide them towards optimal well-being. (CCMT/MTDA, PIA Ilocos Norte)
