Bacolod: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is intensifying the implementation of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) for large account employers in Negros Occidental, which are defined as companies with 100 employees and above. Through targeted orientations in these firms, the Local Health Insurance Office ensures that direct contributor-members fully leverage the provisions of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth-Bacolod information officer Christine Mirano emphasized the importance of in-house YAKAP orientations, which provide both employers and employees with crucial information regarding their healthcare entitlements and access to quality health services. Mirano stated, "PhilHealth Bacolod remains committed to expanding the reach of the YAKAP Program and strengthening partnerships with employers for members to fully benefit from the UHC law."

YAKAP is designed as an enhanced primary care benefit package focusing on preventive and promotive healthcare. Through this initiative, PhilHealth offers free primary care services such as routine checkups, laboratory tests, cancer screenings, and outpatient medications under the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) program. This program provides free outpatient medicines to members and includes 13 laboratory tests, six cancer-screening tests, and 75 types of medicines at select clinics and pharmacies, with a limit of PHP20,000 per year.

As of December 22, PhilHealth Bacolod has conducted orientations for 98 large-account employers in the province. Additionally, mobile YAKAP services were extended to 36 employers in collaboration with accredited YAKAP providers in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. These services allowed employers and their employees to access essential health services on-site, such as medical consultations, health screenings, basic medicines, and laboratory tests.