BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) turned over eight checks worth more or less P10 million as per-family payment rate to the provincial government.
According to Vicel Bracamonte, local insurance health officer of PhilHealth-Iloilo, the amount was PhilHealth’s payment or share to the provincial government for the enrolment of members under the provincial government-sponsored program.
For every member enrolled, PhilHealth is paying P500, said Bracamonte.
The total amount covered 48,000 indigent members from the province.
Sponsored program members were entitled to free primary care benefits (PCB) in accredited public health care providers like free out-patients consultations, free checkup and free medicines.
According to Bracamonte, the province may utilize the money to purchase medicines and medical equipment and/or for the improvement of health facilities.
The 20 percent may constitute the administrative cost or honoraria of doctors rendering PCB services.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said P10 million will be used to purchase medicines to augment the supply of 12 provincial hospitals.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the initial estimate of needed supplies is P100 million./PN
