TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 20 (PNA) –- Nearly PHP5-billion
medical expenses have been paid for by the central government to super typhoon
Yolanda survivors from late 2013 until 2016 not regularly covered by the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
The state health insurance firm reported on Monday
that healthcare benefits have been given to 623,145 typhoon survivors who are
non-PhilHealth members and those who failed to pay their premiums.
“From 2014 to 2016, Eastern Visayas was the only
region in the country that experienced the universal coverage in terms of
benefits with the implementation of all-can-avail policy after the super
typhoon,” said Renato Limsiaco, PhilHealth regional vice president.
The policy, meant for all patients in typhoon-hit
region regardless of their membership status, ended on Dec. 31, 2016.
“Without this policy, we would deprive the 623,145
people from healthcare services,” Limsiaco added.
Out of the PHP4.88 billion claims in the past three
years, PHP25.18 million were paid in late 2013, PHP1.82 billion in 2014,
PHP2.08 billion in 2015, and PHP962.92 million in 2016.
To include benefits payment to active members, the
government has paid more than PHP9 billion health insurance claims between late
2013 until last year.
Limsiaco admitted that the regional office suffered
losses with the massive claims payment for Yolanda survivors, but it somehow
uplifted the regional economy.
In 2016, for instance, the state health insurance
firm only earned PHP900 million premium contributions from regular members and
PHP2.4 billion from national government’s subsidy for poor families.
Total collection was PHP200 million less than the
PHP3.5 million actual benefits payment last year. Excess contributions from
other regions covered the deficiency in Eastern Visayas.
PhilHealth reported that 93 percent of the region’s
4.5 million projected population as of last year were covered by health insurance.
(PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
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