The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has expanded its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) to increase access to preventive care by adding six cancer screening tests and raising outpatient medicine coverage.
The added screening services included mammography, breast ultrasound, low-dose chest CT scan, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), liver ultrasound, and colonoscopy.
PhilHealth Bukidnon chief Romulo M. Lapuz Jr. said the expansion shifts care toward early detection and outpatient treatment.
“Members no longer need to be admitted to a hospital to use their benefits. They can now get medicines and undergo screening in accredited facilities,” he said during a recent episode of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas aired over 14 radio stations provincewide.
Under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) package, YAKAP-registered members and their legal dependents may claim up to P20,000 in outpatient medicines each year from a 75-drug formulary. A prescription from an accredited primary care provider is required.
Lapuz said PhilHealth has begun accrediting community pharmacies to widen medicine access. “In Bukidnon, seven pharmacies have applied for accreditation, and four have already been approved. PhilHealth is mapping more outlets to ensure each city and municipality has at least one partner pharmacy,” he said.
He said public YAKAP clinics provide services at no cost, while private clinics may charge a yearly P900 co-payment.
Members must register with a YAKAP-accredited primary care provider, complete a consultation, and secure a prescription or test request to claim medicines or screening services. A valid ID and the PhilHealth Member Data Record are required.
Lapuz encouraged residents to use the expanded benefits. “Prevention is better than cure. We encourage members to visit YAKAP clinics for early checkups and care,” he said.
He said more clinics, pharmacies, and screening facilities will be accredited nationwide to advance preventive health services. (MBD, GIP/PIA-10/Bukidnon)
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