MikeLigalig.com

Palawan’s free PhilHealth membership able to assist over 3,400 patients
By Jesus M. Ustares

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Oct. 30 (PNA) -- Health and Other Social Services (HOSS), the Palawan provincial government’s free membership Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) program, has already succeeded in helping over 3,400 patients this year.

Maridel Gajardo of the provincial government’s HOSS said the patients were helped in their hospitalization through the provision of free PhilHealth membership even while they were confined in various hospitals in Palawan.

She explained that as soon as they are registered, patients can immediately avail of the discounts entitled a PhilHealth member.

The discounts offered are based on their status. As much as 50% can be availed to almost zero payment when the patient is utterly impoverished to pay for hospital expenses.

Gajardo explained this is what Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez dreams – that every Palaweño has access to health services, and if they do not have enough to pay, their health can still be taken care of.

In 2014, she said the provincial government provided free PhilHealth membership cards to 19,575 residents but only 5,000 actual users were monitored to have availed of them.

This is probably because many are unaware about the advantage of being a PhilHealth member. Information dissemination is now reportedly being done to raise their awareness.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=81278.0