Senate, Philhealth partner to widen access to health services

MANILA-In order to assist Filipinos seeking help for medical services, the Senate has recently inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to create its off-site office in the Senate.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said that under the agreement, the Senate will continue helping Filipinos, particularly the poor and the elderly population, get access to medical care through the establishment of a new Philhealth satellite office right inside the Senate compound in Pasay City.

“The Memorandum of Agreement between the Senate and Philhealth is part of our effort to provide our people, especially those who are less fortunate, with much needed health services and information,” he said.

“This partnership with the Philhealth will enhance our efforts to help our kababayans avail of government services, and as well as heighten their awareness of the National Health Insurance Program,” added Drilon.

Drilon underscored the need for more off-site Philhealth offices in view of the implementation of the mandatory Philhealth coverage for all senior citizens.

He said that with the Senate’s tie up with the Philhealth, the institution can already respond to common concerns of both the members and non-members, most especially the poor and the senior citizens, concerning their membership standing, status of claim refund, and other problematic cases.

“The Republic Act 10645 or the mandatory Philhealth coverage for senior citizens, which we passed last year, can be effectively implemented through the establishment of these satellite offices where the senior citizens and the members and non-members of Philhealth can make inquiries, file complaints and process their claim,” said Drilon.

“We are very happy that the Senate did not only pass the RA 10645, but it has also offered an avenue to make the law’s implementation more effective through the establishment of a Philhealth off-site office at the Senate,” said Drilon.

Under the agreement, which was signed last February 13, the Senate, through its Public Assistance Center (PAC), will serve as the venue for Philhealth off-site office to provide frontline services such as membership verification and status of claim refund.

The Senate will provide personnel that will assist walk-in clients with Philhealth concerns, and with close coordination with Philhealth’s Corporate Action Center, the Senate can act on their concerns.

The senator explained that the upper chamber has a long history of reaching out and helping Filipinos with their medical necessities, through the Senate Public Assistance Center (PAC): “The Senate PAC was the primary contact of the senators to the indigent citizens of this country. I am proud to say with the PAC, we have served and aided countless people in need of medical care assistance who came to the Senate looking for help.”