The Department of Health, Ospital ng Palawan, and the local government of Puerto Princesa signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the immediate implementation of the Point of Care (POC) enrollment program of the national health insurance program for indigent patients in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
“Under the POC, an indigent patient must first pass the medical social worker’s assessment to become an sponsored member and avail of the PhilHealth benefits,” DOH Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
“This is also to ensure that an indigent person or his dependent who needs immediate medical assistance shall be admitted even without money,” he added.
Under the agreement, the city government of Puerto Princesa through its support fund to the Ospital ng Palawan will allot P2,000,000.00 for premium payment of eligible patients who are constituents of the city under the Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 1445-2016.
Enrolled patients
According to ONP Chief Dr. Melecio N. Dy, they have already enrolled a total of 1,921 indigent patients in Palawan, 1,212 or 63% of these were from PPC with premium payment amounting to P2,908,800.
The POC was implemented on November 14, 2013 under the Philhealth Circular 32 series of 2013, with the objective of giving non-Philhealth members a full health package benefits at the time of admission to government-owned hospitals.
Under the POC enrolment program, ONP can immediately enroll a non-Philhealth member classified as an indigent and will shoulder the P2,400.00 premium contribution for 1 year. The enrollee will automatically enjoy the health care benefits from day 1 of confinement to the last day of the same year.
Beneficiaries shall be entitled to inpatient, outpatient (except primary care benefit) and to the “No Balance Billing” policy where patients shall no longer pay the balance of hospital charges, if any.
“We are very grateful for the support of hospitals and LGUs in MIMAROPA for the successful implementation of the POC sponsorship program. We are encouraging those with illness to voluntary seek medical care in government hospitals as Philhealth is ready to provide them immediate assistance,” Janairo concluded.
—From the Department of Health
