After the successful launching of the ZMORPH or Mobility, Orthosis, Rehabilitation, Prosthesis Help last year, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) held another momentous event recently at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMC) in Quezon City.

PhilHealth formally signed an agreement with UERMMMC, with the latter as its first private contracted hospital that will provide prosthetic services for qualified members who have had one or more limbs removed by amputation.

The agreement aims to benefit persons with disabilities with lost or deficient lower limbs. It covers initial fitting of external lower limb prosthesis at a package of P15,000 per limb for the entire pre- and post-prosthetic management of either the foot, syme's, ankle or below knee levels of amputation.

The signing ceremony was led by PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla and OIC-SVP for Health Finance Policy Sector, Dr. Francisco Z. Soria Jr., UERMMMC President Romeo Divinagracia and Chief of Hospital Maribeth de los Santos.

In his statement, Padilla stressed the importance of the partnership with UERMMMC to bring to reality the State's commitment to provide quality health care services for persons with disabilities.

"We wanted to start the ZMORPH using the highest standards, and what better way to do this than to link up with the institution that can best deliver it. Hence, it was not difficult to choose UERMMMC as our partner in this undertaking, being the only institution in the country that can set the standards of quality care for the ZMORPH Benefit Package through the Philippine School of Orthotics and Prosthetics" , he said.

Padilla also reminded all qualified Indigent and Sponsored program members to avail themselves of the benefit at no extra cost. “We are truly grateful to the UERMMMC for welcoming the concept of ‘No Balance Billing' especially for those who do not have the means but who are nevertheless entitled to complete quality care.” (Cristopher S. Cruz)