The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has urged the public to register for the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) ng Pamahalaan program to ensure access to health benefits.
In a public advisory, the state insurer highlighted the vital services and financial assistance provided, especially to those who do not have a medical or health insurance plan. To use the health benefit, a PhilHealth identification number is required. Anyone can get their own plan online through the PhilHealth Member Portal or offline at any of the PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Offices.
Using the identification number, one may register in eGovPH app, PhilHealth member portal, PhilHealth office, or the chosen YAKAP Clinic. Members are advised to go to the YAKAP Clinic where they are registered for initial consultation.
They must undergo the laboratory tests as recommended by the doctor. If the laboratory services are not available at the YAKAP Clinic, they will be referred to a partner diagnostic laboratory or clinic. They can get medicines from an accredited GAMOT provider based on the doctor’s prescription. If medication is needed, the doctor will issue a prescription through the GAMOT app.
At the accredited GAMOT provider or pharmacy, a prescription must be shown to the pharmacist. In return, the pharmacist will provide a GAMOT Availment Slip. Accredited GAMOT providers have signage displayed in their pharmacies.
Each beneficiary can receive up to P20,000 worth of medicines per year from accredited pharmacies. They will be informed of their remaining balance from the P20,000 annual limit.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview also on Thursday, PhilHealth Health Finance Policy Sector Senior Vice President Israel Francis Pargas explained that the YAKAP ng Pamahalaan is a rebranding of the Konsulta Program, as the government urges every Filipino to consult doctors despite the absence of illnesses or early symptoms, the essence of primary health care that is promotive and preventive.
“So, all the services under the Konsulta program, such as free consultations, the 13 included laboratory tests, as well as the 21 medicines, are all covered,” he said.
“Next time, we will expand it to include the cancer screening tests you mentioned earlier, and we will also expand the list of medicines – from the current 21 free medicines, around 54 more will be added, which our members will also be able to access),” he assured. (PNA)