PhilHealth chief Beverly Lorraine Ho tells the Filipino Chinese business community the agency will shift spending toward prevention and promotes YAKAP, which offers up to P20,000 in yearly outpatient benefits.
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president and chief executive Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho outlined the agency’s policies, health benefits and future direction to the Filipino Chinese community at a seminar hosted by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) on Sept. 25, 26 at the Federation Building in Binondo, Manila.
Ho said PhilHealth plans to shift resources from hospitalization toward prevention. Citing agency data, she said most of PhilHealth’s funds currently go to hospitalization and treatment, and she called for wiser spending and an efficient public health system.
She said the agency should invest more in preventive care and cut costly hospital stays through early screening, primary care and continuous treatment.
She introduced YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), PhilHealth’s outpatient benefit program. Members can choose a YAKAP provider for designated checkups and cancer screenings and obtain prescribed medicines at participating GAMOT drugstores. Each member may receive up to P20,000 in annual medical benefits. Members can select a YAKAP clinic through the eGov app or the PhilHealth website and access free basic health checks and other services.
PhilHealth is also expanding benefits to cover services such as autism treatment for children. It plans to work with businesses and schools to encourage more employees and members of the public to enroll in YAKAP.
In welcome remarks, FFCCCII president Victor Lim said a healthy, stable workforce is vital to economic productivity. He said that access to quality, affordable healthcare is a social responsibility and a key concern for businesses, employees and their families.
Lim said FFCCCII has long run free medical missions in Metro Manila and the provinces and is willing to work with PhilHealth to deliver healthcare services to residents in need.