1,500 Talisay families get health insurance

CEBU, Philippines -  Around 1,500 poor families in Talisay City were enrolled by the city government to the sponsored health insurance program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who personally distributed the health insurance identification cards, said the city government's gesture was to ensure that the poorest of the poor can avail of hospitalization and other health services.

Last year, the city enrolled at least 3,000 Talisaynons to the health insurance. De los Reyes said the program is part of his responsibility "to deliver basic services beyond politics."

All beneficiaries are entitled to all case rates when hospitalized. There are corresponding maximum rates that PhilHealth will shoulder depending on the diagnosis of the attending physician.

To harmonize the lists of beneficiaries and to ensure that all poor and deserving families will be assisted, PhilHealth also coordinated with the social welfare department to confirm the new submitted list from the LGUs and likewise those in the old list that have been enrolled in the program.

Other than the principal member, the qualified dependents include the legal wife and children aged 21 years old and below.  (FREEMAN)