CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in Central Visayas (PhilHealth7) has enhanced the delivery of their Konsulta Program in the region as part of the continued efforts in expanding the coverage of its medical benefit packages for PhilHealth members.
During the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ in Central Visayas program on Feb. 5, PhilHealth7 Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto reported that they have included new benefit packages under the PhilHealth Konsulta Program.
Cabrieto said that aside from the existing 13 benefit packages under the Konsulta Program, PhilHealth now offers outpatient emergency care, which covers urgent medical care not requiring admission or hospitalization.
The package also includes ambulance services and medicines.
Other new benefit packages that will be covered under the Konsulta Program are preventive oral services, physical medicine rehabilitation, and assistive mobility services.
PhilHealth will now also include TB directly observed therapy (TB-DOTS) benefit package under the said program.
“The PhilHealth Region 7 has accredited 207 facilities under the Konsulta Program. In Cebu province, there are only two local government units (LGUs) nga wala pay accredited Konsulta Program Provider,” said Cabrieto.
From Dec. 27, 2024 to Jan. 25, 2025, PhilHealth paid hospitals P20.1 billion, a 38 percent increase from last year.
PhilHealth7 has also disbursed ₱1,091,005,063.61 in timely payments for valid claims during the same period.
Around P23 million has been paid for claims under the Konsulta Program for the same period as well, according to PhilHealth.
For the major benefit packages, the Konsulta Program currently covers kidney transplantation, HIV coverage, and an outpatient mental health package.
PhilHealth7 has contracted several government facilities as Konsulta Providers for these benefit packages, such as the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
Cabrieto also clarified that there is no co-payment for the Konsulta Program in government hospitals, while there is a P900 co-payment in private health facilities.
Meanwhile, for the outpatient mental health package benefit, PhilHealth7 reported that there are currently six local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas that now have accredited facilities as mental health package providers.
These are the municipalities of Borbon, Badian, Medellin, San Remegio, and City of Bogo in Cebu and Tagbilaran City in Bohol.
The outpatient mental health benefit covers P9,000 for the general package and P16,000 for the special package.
Cabrieto stressed that the continued expansion of their medical benefit packages is a testament to PhilHealth’s commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare for all its members under the National Health Insurance Program.
“Mga bagong benepisyo ng PhilHealth, tuloy-tuloy tayo na palawigin pa ang serbisyo. We ensure faster payments and continuous service for quality care. We ensure that our members will feel the value of our services and enjoy the benefit packages under the national health insurance program,” Cabrieto concluded.
PhilHealth 7 was the featured agency for this year’s 1st episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas program, a platform initiated by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
The activity aims to amplify public understanding and engagement with the national government’s programs and projects through the different implementing government agencies.
Watch the full episode here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12JDruY3mSQ/. (RGC/PIA-7 Cebu)
