PhilHealth appropriates P6M for OFW program

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has allocated at least P6 million to the Department of Health for the initial implementation of the “Enhanced Overseas Workers Program Out-patient Benefit Package.”

The program includes consultations, diagnostic services (blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood typing, blood sugar, hemoglobin/hematocrit, electrocardiogram and hepatitis B screening test), preventive health services such as periodic digital rectal exam, visual acetic screening for cervical cancer, clinical breast exam, nutrition or dietary counseling.

It also includes visual acuity exams, psychological evaluation and debriefing, auditory evaluation and treatment for urinary tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis.

According to PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Lorna Fajardo, the new package will be available this year at all DOH hospitals across the country.

Fajardo said the program adopts the “no-out-of-pocket” expenses for the patients, adding that PhilHealth will assist DOH for the smooth implementation of the program.

The budget for the project will be released to the DOH through its National Center for Health Facility and Development, which will manage and release the money to the participating DOH hospitals.

PhilHealth and DOH will also upgrade the hospitals’ administrative and operational capabilities to conform to PhilHealth’s standards. — Jasmin R. Uy/LPM