A date with PhilHealth Caraga
By Renelle L. Escuadro
February 14, known as the Valentine’s Day, is one of the dearest day of the year as the celebration originated as a Christian feast day honoring the Christian martyr Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, became a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love across the globe.
In the Philippines, Filipinos are mindful of celebrities who add another summer every February 14 with the likes of Heart Evangelista and Kris Aquino who stay always in our memory lane on this love day.
And exactly on that day, 28 years ago, then-President Fidel V. Ramos signed the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 or Republic Act No. 7875 in 1995. This law paved the way to the creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which was mandated to provide social health insurance coverage to all Filipinos
To effectively deliver its mandate and functions as a government-owned and controlled corporation, PhilHealth is operating under the principle of “bayanihan” of which the young help the old, the healthy subsidize the sick, those earning more support those who earn less, and the able sponsor the poor and vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Through this, the state insurance continues to remain relevant to the lives of the Filipino people beyond its initial timeline of 15 years.
Celebrating big and small wins
“Our date on February 14 is always PhilHealth because we have lined up activities for the anniversary celebration. We really want to consider 2023 as our best year ever especially that we have pipelined programs. We have a lot to rejoice because of the great performances of the regional office.”
This is the proud statement of the strong pillar behind PhilHealth Caraga,Regional Vice President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez.
To kick-off the 28th anniversary of PhilHealth, Hernandez served as the guest of the Kapihan with PIA at SM City Butuan on February 7, 2023.
Hernandez congratulated PhilHealth Regional Office Caraga for being one of the top PhilHealth offices in the country, particularly in the timely processing and delivery of claims, which they managed to do within 28 days against its target of 60 days.
The regional office got the highest customer satisfaction rating of 98% from the members, employers and stakeholders in the entire country.
As a team player, PhilHealth Caraga Regional Office continues to deliver the best service to Caraganons by replicating the best practices from other regions which are applicable and essential in the region.
Putting preventive health care to the fore
With the Universal Health Care Act or Republic Act No. 11233, Philhealth Caraga has been rallying, loud and clear, on the immediate eligibility to all of its services and the Konsulta Program.
With immediate eligibility and Konsulta, all Filipinos are PhilHealth members. Costly laboratories, medicines and sky rocketing hospital bills will no longer be feared. This will decrease late diagnosis of critical illnesses.
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| Hernandez |
Determined that no Caraganon is left behind, PhilHealth Caraga has crafted region-wide activities for the entire month of February such as the activation of its express offices, establishment of booths in public areas and malls for registration and enrollment, accelerated accreditation of health care partners and provided provisional accreditation to rural health centers especially in the islands and far flung areas, with the goal of bringing PhilHealth services accessible and convenient to everyone.
On February 24, 2023, PhilHealth Caraga will open to the public its PhilHealth Siargao Island Business Center which will complete the strategic primary touch points of the state insurance in the region.
With this change of approach, more and more Filipinos will value health and wellness and it will be a healthier Philippines.
For PhilHealth Caraga, this is the best Valentine’s gift they can offer to the Filipinos across the globe.
People over profit
Certainly, PhilHealth is thankful to all its clients, partners and stakeholders for the trust and confidence. The organization continues to remain strong and stable despite the roller coaster ride. Its delivery of quality and unhampered service to all Filipinos is lifelong.
For 28 years in social health insurance, PhilHealth is always choose people over profit. (DMNR/RLE/PIA-Caraga)
