LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- Medical specialists of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) recently attended the orientation on the different medical care packages being provided for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) under its Z Benefits. The orientation was held at the Bicol University’s College of Medicine auditorium.

Members of PhilHealth’s Product Team for Special Benefits led by Dr. Melanie Santillan gave the participants an overview of the Z Packages for Breast Cancer, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Prostate Cancer. The BRTTH has been contracted to make the Z Package for Breast Cancer available to Bicolano PhilHealth members. It is currently completing documentary requirements as contracted hospital for the Z Package for prostate cancer, and is being eyed as the regional center for heart surgeries through which the Z Package for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) may also be offered.

Santillan said the activity was aimed at re-orienting health care providers on the Z packages that she defined as “rational health interventions to improve health outcomes while providing financial risk protection to Filipinos who are afflicted with a catastrophic condition.” A detailed discussion of the mandatory services that must be provided to the member-patients was made, including the new forms to be used and the standard process of benefit availment. A review of general contract provisions was also done, and implementation concerns were addressed.

Dr. Veronica Mateum, PhilHealth Regional Office V’s Head of Health Care Delivery and Management Division, thoroughly explained the process flow of benefit availment, emphasizing that the first step is to check on the eligibility of the patient to avail himself of the benefits. She also cited the need to ensure that patient satisfaction marking is indicated in the appropriate forms, and that some claims may be denied if a mandatory service is not given to the patient-member, the claim is filed late, or if the PS mark or the member’s initials are not present in the form.

Questions tackled during the orientation touched on the perceived stringent selections criteria for the Z Packages vis-a-vis the clinical practice guidelines, coverage for ovarian cancer under the Z benefit, the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant drugs for breast cancer, and the absence of patient-member enrollees under the prostate cancer Z package.

Dr. Myla Agudera Balang, Chief Oncologist of BRTTH appreciated the conduct of the orientation and called on fellow medical practitioners in the region to “help increase awareness about these programs.” She also called on PhilHealth to tap medical societies in information dissemination about the Z Packages, and for the BRTTH to promote these, as well.

Orlando D. Inigo, PhilHealth Regional Office V’s Regional Vice President shared his current advocacy campaign. Dubbed PURE QUALITY, the campaign focuses on primary care and payment mechanisms, universal membership, reduction of poverty, enhancement of maternity and other packages, efficient use of quad media and information technology resources and the importance that should be given to PhilHealth members and stakeholders.

• 
• 
• 

The BRTTH, formerly known as the Albay Provincial Hospital, is designated as the heart, lung and kidney center of the Region. (END) Maria Sophia B. Varlez / Photos by Pedro D. Abella