Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has disbursed PHP49.48 million in claims to healthcare providers participating in the Yaman ng Kalusugan at Proteksyon (YAKAP) program in Negros Occidental. This initiative encompasses the delivery of primary care services, including consultations, various laboratory and diagnostic tests, and the provision of 75 essential medicines to PhilHealth members and their beneficiaries throughout the province, including Bacolod City.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference, PhilHealth Regional Vice President for Western Visayas, Marjorie Cabrieto, urged residents of Negros Occidental to register for the YAKAP program to take advantage of the enhanced primary care benefits. Cabrieto emphasized the importance of early registration, encouraging individuals to visit any local health insurance office (LHIO) in Kabankalan, Sagay, or Bacolod for enrollment.
Cabrieto further noted that registration can also be completed through the eGovPH mobile app by accessing the PhilHealth member portal online. She mentioned that large companies could invite LHIO personnel to their premises to facilitate employee registration.
Janimhe Jalbuna, head of PhilHealth-Western Visayas' public affairs unit, reported that as of July 31, only 293,506 PhilHealth members and dependents in Negros Occidental have registered with YAKAP clinics, representing a mere 9.04 percent of the projected population of 3.247 million. Of those registered, only 73,010 have completed their first patient encounter (FPE), which is crucial for initial health assessment and data collection with an accredited YAKAP provider. This step is necessary for beneficiaries to access primary care consultations, laboratory tests, and maintenance medications.
The YAKAP package underscores preventive and promotive healthcare, incorporating the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) component. In Negros Occidental, PhilHealth has accredited 62 YAKAP clinics and 45 GAMOT pharmacies to provide these enhanced primary care benefits. Facilities offering cancer screening services include Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Kabankalan City Hospital, and Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital.
