PhilHealth, DSWD Forge Partnership for the Poor November 13, 2012

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have recently formalized a joint undertaking for the benefit of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) grantees.

The partnership, which was enshrined in a Joint Order signed by the said agencies, aims to further heighten the level of awareness of all Pantawid beneficiaries of their PhilHealth benefits through the Family Development Seminars conducted by DSWD’s municipal/city links.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said that the Joint Order is another milestone in the implementation of 4Ps, saying that “this revitalized partnership seals our unwavering commitment to improve the conditions of poor families particularly the children so they are provided with equal opportunities for growth and development.”

For his part, PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon added that “PhilHealth’s support to the program essentially adds another P to the 4Ps which now stands for PhilHealth para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”

Pantawid Pamilya is the government’s human development program that invests in the health and education of the poor through cash grants in exchange of compliance to certain conditions such as pre and post-natal care for pregnant mothers, immunization and preventive health care for children, deworming for children, among others.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, who also led the signing ceremonies, said that “beneficiaries who have been granted PhilHealth coverage by the national government will now be more aware of their entitlements and how to avail of them.” Ona also added that the move promotes the government’s Universal Health Care program which brings back dignity to our marginalized fellowmen.

Pantawid beneficiaries are covered by PhilHealth as Sponsored members until December 2013. They are issued their Member Data Record and PhilHealth Identification Number which will serve as their pass when availing of health care benefits at any accredited facilities in the country.

As Sponsored members, they are entitled to full benefits including the recently introduced case rate payments for 23 medical and surgical cases wherein they no longer need to pay in excess of the PhilHealth set benefits in government facilities.

They can also avail of the 'Z' benefit package for catastrophic illnesses such as childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, breast and prostate cancer, and kidney transplant, with financial coverage of P210,000, P100,000 (each), and P600,000 respectively. PhilHealth has initially partnered with selected reference and contracted government hospitals nationwide to provide the Z benefits.

Pantawid beneficiaries also enjoy primary care benefits such as consultations, regular blood pressure monitoring, and promotive health education on breastfeeding and counseling on lifestyle modification and smoking cessation. Medicines for diseases like asthma and acute gastroenteritis with no or mild dehydration, upper respiratory tract infection/pneumonia and urinary tract infection are also provided for by accredited healthcare providers.

To ensure access, PhilHealth has automatically accredited all DOH licensed hospitals as Centers of Safety. “This way, accreditation of hospitals is hastened to be able to serve Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries right away” Banzon said. (END)