The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) appealed to Negrenses on Thursday, August 27, to enroll in its expanded Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) amid a low turnout in Negros Occidental.
Enrolling in YAKAP allows PhilHelth members to access free preventive care and essential medical services that would prevent costly hospitalizations, PhilHealth officials said at a press conference in Bacolod City.
Janimhe Jalbuna, head of the PhilHealth-Western Visayas public affairs unit, reported that only 293,506 members and dependents in the province had registered with YAKAP clinics as of July 31.
This represents just 9.04 percent of Negros Occidental’s target population of 3.247 million, she said.
Among local government units in the province, the municipality of San Enrique logged the highest participation, with 39.64 percent of its projected population registered.
Under the program, registered members and their dependents can select a preferred YAKAP clinic to access a comprehensive benefit package. Services include free medical consultations, laboratory tests, outpatient cancer screenings, and up to ₱20,000 worth of free maintenance medicines annually through the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program.
“Don’t wait for your illness to get worse,” Marjorie Cabrieto, PhilHealth Regional Vice President, said.
Members can enroll by choosing a preferred clinic via the eGovPH Super App, the online PhilHealth Member Portal, or at any local PhilHealth office.
Cabrieto also said large companies can also invite PhilHealth personnel to set up on-site registration booths for their employees.
To expand service coverage, Cabrieto also urged local clinics and diagnostic facilities to seek accreditation.
Negros Occidental currently has 62 accredited YAKAP primary care clinics, 45 GAMOT-affiliated pharmacies, and five cancer screening facilities at the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Kabankalan City Hospital and the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital
As of July 31, PhilHealth has disbursed ₱49.48 million in claims to healthcare providers delivering YAKAP services in Negros Occidental.*
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