STARTING this November, mommies and moms-to-be shall be entitled to an increase in PhilHealth coverage for their low-risk normal spontaneous deliveries in all accredited hospitals and lying-in clinics in the country.

This is in keeping with our promise to make our benefits more relevant and meaningful especially now that health care costs have continued to soar. I thank our Board of Directors especially our Chair, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, for pushing this very timely enhancement in the existing coverage for NSDs.

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Where before we only pay P4,500, uncomplicated and qualified NSDs shall now be paid up to P6,500 for both availments in accredited hospitals and non-hospital facilities. Here's the breakdown for non-hospital cases such as lying-in centers and birthing homes: P5,000 to the facility and P1,500 for prenatal care.

For hospital deliveries, PhilHealth will pay up to P2,500 each to the professional and the facility which includes room and board; drugs and medicines; laboratories; supplies; ancillary procedures like labor, delivery and recovery rooms; and other medically necessary charges for delivery and postpartum care. The other P1,500 goes to prenatal care services which used to be available only to those delivering in maternity clinics!

This is something that I am particularly glad about because including prenatal privileges in hospital availments will help ensure safe pregnancies, not just safe deliveries. Members who have availed of the prenatal services should only present valid official receipts to refund part of their prenatal expenses that should include consultations.

Members should also be aware that attending physicians shall be paid for the actual delivery, immediate postpartum care and counseling for reproductive health, breastfeeding and newborn care.

Eligibility requirements: To avail of the benefit, Individually Paying Members (IPMs) should have at least nine months of paid premiums within the immediate 12 months prior to the month of availment while employed members and IPMs enrolled under the KASAPI (Kalusugang Sigurado at Abot-kaya sa PhilHealth Insurance) shall be required at least three months of paid contributions within the immediate six months prior to actual availment.

On the other hand, Sponsored and Overseas Worker-members can avail themselves of the package within the validity period of their coverage as stated in their Family Health Cards and Member Data Records, respectively. Lifetime Members and their qualified dependents just need to present their PhilHealth ID when availing of these benefits. (End)

Etcetera:

We have just signed another collection and remittance agreement with Philippine Veterans Bank last Monday, November 9, 2009, this time for the benefit of our members overseas in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

We have just tapped PVB's foreign offices and tie-ups in the abovementioned countries that are fully automated and capable of generating acceptable proofs of payments that are consistent with our new set of guidelines in the accreditation of collecting agents.

OFW members can now pay their PhilHealth premiums at the following: UK: 204 Earl's Court Road, London SW5 9QF. UAE: Coriner Express Cargo behind La Marquiz Bldg., Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi. Qatar: Coriner International Air Cargo, Soliq Al Jabor Bldg., opposite of Gulf Horizon Hotel in Doha.

I would like to thank PVB's President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. for allowing us to mobilize their foreign tie ups which I am sure will further expand given the spirit and aggressiveness I have seen in him and his team. Keep it up PVB!