PhilHealth to cover BuCor inmates

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 36,111 inmates of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) will be assured of health services as a result of a tie-up between the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and BuCor.

In a memorandum of agreement between PhilHealth and BuCor, the bureau will subsidize in part the inmates’ premium contributions and ensure the PhilHealth accreditation of public health institutions under its jurisdiction. 

The beneficiaries will come from the seven prison and penal farms managed by BuCor: New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City; Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City;  Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro; Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan; Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte; Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte; and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.

According to PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon, the program will not only benefit the inmates but their families as well.

“Extending PhilHealth benefits to these inmates shall eventually provide them the peace of mind having the assurance that the health of their family is well taken cared of while they are serving their prison term,” Banzon said.