SEVEN leading physicians recently shared their moving stories on the implementation of the Z Benefit Packages of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“The Z benefits passionately reminded us that there is financial protection for the healthcare system in the Philippines. Specifically, for us at the Philippine Heart Center, Z benefits provide an access to specialized cardiovascular care for our patients,” narrated Dr. Gerardo S. Manzo, a cardiologist from the Philippine Heart Center. He added that PhilHealth payments reached P146,330,000.00 for 417 approved cases of Z benefits such as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Ventricular Septal Defect and Tetralogy of Fallot for the year 2014.

Dr. Jose Dante P. Dator of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, proudly stated that, “In less than two months, we were able to get the reimbursement from PhilHealth.” He also encouraged other health care institutions to become contracted providerS of Z package, especially for peritoneal dialysis.

The Batangas Medical Center’s experiences in implementing the Z benefit package for breast cancer and how it has affected their institution was proudly shared by Dr. Ramoncito Magnaye. He thanked PhilHealth and said that they were are able to buy new sets of equipment to improve their services and initiated the enhancement of the hospital’s building façade through PhilHealth’s reimbursements. He recommended the strengthening of information and education campaign on the Z benefit packages to maximize the BMC’s service capability.

On the other hand, Dr. Paul N. San Pedro of the Philippine Orthopedic Center discussed the hospital’s experience when orthopaedic implants were not yet part of the Z benefit package. He said that it almost took two and a half months for indigent patients to look for alternative sources of funds before they could undergo the operation. “Z benefits program is a blessing for our patients as it gave them better outcome, less complication and faster recovery,” and added that “for our institution, PhilHealth reimbursements help in renovation of our wards. It’s a winning proposition for everyone.” He ended his discussion with a simple slogan that is befitting for the event’s theme “Sa PhilHealth, laging panalo!”

Speaking for the University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Josephine Robredo Bundoc, described the ZMORPH benefit package for below-the-knee prosthesis. She said that PhilHealth has been cooperative and accommodating by doing consultative / feedback meetings to check if there is room for improvement in terms of benefit availment.

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Philippine Children’s Medical Center Executive Director, Dr. Julius A. Lecciones briefly discussed how Z benefit helps their patients in paying hospital bills especially those in need.

Dr. Leopoldo Vega of Southern Philippine Medical Center described how they were able to implement team work and sharing governance in the implementation of Z benefit package in their institution. He also discussed the cases of their patients who underwent Ventricular Septal Defect operation and availed the No Balance Billing policy.

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PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla announced the Z benefit packages for colon and rectum cancers saying the state insurer is providing sufficient amount necessary to ensure total care for all affected members.

“We are now evaluating the capabilities of some accredited facilities that have expressed their intentions to become our contracted facilities for the said packages. We are optimistic that, before the year ends, there will be members who will be availing themselves of the package already,” he said.

Dra. Diena B. Oroceo, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Lyceum Subic Bay, a 75-year-old cancer survivor, shared her experiences in battling colorectal cancer.

Dr. Manuel Francis Roxas, a colorectal cancer specialist, also gave a brief discussion of the former in the Philippine setting, its survival rate, quality care of a colorectal cancer patient, and other colon and rectum cancer programs in the Philippines prior to PhilHealth’s inclusion in its Z benefit packages.

“I’m sure you have seen the exhibit on our members’ experiences and how the packages have given them a new lease in life so that they can continue to pursue their dreams. Simply put, we want to share with the local community that these packages indeed work, that there are real people who have actually availed themselves of these packages, and that they are here to stay,” stated Padilla. (END)