Not expected.

This was how Linda A. Membrano of Nangka, Marikina City summed up her experience when she learned just before her discharge from Amang Rodriguez Medical Center (ARMC) that PhilHealth is paying her hospital bill of more than P10,000 in full.

That was in early February in 2013. That was after she ignored the advice of her attending doctor earlier during a medical mission that she needs to seek medical attention immediately.

Linda was experiencing shortness of breath and palpitation then, and complained of what appeared to be prolonged menstruation. Her blood pressure was also abnormally low. "Lagi nga akong ninenerbyos at kinakabahan iyun pala ay mababa na raw ang presyon ko," Linda explained.

She reported to ARMC’s Outpatient Department and there she was told to undergo tests that included an X-ray, urinalysis and ECG. Linda resolved to just submit the results to the hospital for reading, hoping that everything will turn out to be fine and perhaps remedied by just following some prescriptions.

Getting admitted for possible treatment was the last thing on her mind.

"Natatakot kasi ako dahil walang-wala kami. May apat akong anak na nag-aaral pa," Linda said in an interview while waiting for the launching of Alaga Ka (para sa Maayos na Buhay) Program at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

"Kaya lang ay pinilit ako ng mga kapit-bahay ko na magpatingin, baka delikado daw ang kondisyon ko," she added.

Linda is among the delegates sent by the City of Marikina to the launching of Alaga Ka, a multi-agency advocacy campaign that aims to deepen their knowledge about their PhilHealth benefits and to encourage them to maximize these in times of medical situations in the family.

Then came what she has been dreading to hear. After seeing her laboratory results, Linda was no longer allowed to go home. "Sabi ng mga taga ospital ay emergency na ang lagay ko, kaunti na lang ay tigok na ako (I will be dead soon)". She was immediately admitted and prepped for an operation.

"May dipirensiya daw ang laylayan ng matris ko at kailangang linisin iyung namumuong dugo. Limang bag ng dugo ang kinailangan ko dahil sabi ng duktor mauubusan na raw ako ng dugo at mahina raw ang puso ko."

She was allegedly told that her condition could even lead to leukemia if not detected earlier.

Linda underwent dilatation and curettage and stayed for one week in the hospital with one lingering thought in mind: "Paano ko babayaran ang bill ko eh walang-wala nga kami!"

She recalled that she only had P200 when she went to the hospital as she was just expecting her laboratory results interpreted and get some advice on how to improve her condition.

Then came the unexpected.

It was very remote in her mind that she will receive some kind of help until she saw a copy of that familiar yellow Member Data Record (MDR) among her discharge papers. It was her husband Aurilio’s, who turned out to be listed in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or simply the Listahanan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Those in the Listahanan are automatically provided with PhilHealth coverage as indigent members.

"May nag-interbyu kasi sa akin na taga-center nuon. Hindi ko akalain sa PhilHealth pala iyon. Nung inasikaso ng pinsan ko na si Guillerma iyung paglabas ko, sabi niya 'may PhilHealth ka pala eh.'"

Linda then showed this writer a copy of the MDR handed earlier by a PhilHealth staff member that cloudy morning of March 24 at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Coverage has been extended up to December 2014 by virtue of the National Government’s continuing financial support to the Indigent Program.

This year, some 14.7 million indigent and even near-poor families, including Linda’s family, stand to benefit from the P35.3 B fresh infusion from the Government through the sin taxes.

"Ibabalik ko pa ito mamaya sa booth kasi may mga maling spelling sa pangalan ng mga anak ko," she explained. Also listed in the MDR are their five children: Antonio, 18; Aurio Jr, 16; Anthony, 13; Lislie, 11; and Vincent, 9.

"Iyung panganay ko ay nagpupulis (studying Criminology)," noted the proud mother who hails from San Isidro, Bohol.

When asked what she would have done to bail her way out of the hospital, Linda paused for a while, "mangungutang kami sigurado para makalabas." It was a definite answer.

Knowing that her entire family is insured with PhilHealth gives a certain level of peace and deep feeling of thankfulness.

"Ang PhilHealth po ay para sa kalinga ng buong pamilya, kaya sana bawat pamilya meron nito. Wala akong ibang masabi kundi salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo sa PhilHealth," Linda ended with a cheerful face, her eyes gleaming.

As expected. (Rey T. Baleña)