PhilHealth coverage of Pampanga now at 86%

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) coverage of Pampanga beneficiaries now stands at 86 percent.

PhilHealth Branch A manager Arsenia Torres bared this during 18th anniversary celebration -- themed “Synergy for Universal Health Care” -- of the state-owned health corporation at its regional office, jived with “Heart to Heart with the Media” press conference and thanksgiving lunch.

“We are very happy to note that as per our mandate and thrust of a hundred percent universal coverage, our coverage of Pampanga now stands at 86 percent, among the highest in Central Luzon’s 76 percent,” said Torres.

She said PhilHealth continues to pursue its target of universal coverage in the province through the organized group approach and other initiatives that will give indigents the opportunity to avail of PhilHealth benefits.

As to backlogs in processing, Torres said it has been cut down to less than a thousand as PhilHealth has reached the 45-day rate, which is seen to be further enhanced to just 30 days.

For his part, PhilHealth Vice President Rodolfo Balog said its sponsored program in cards distribution, which has been extended to three years now, will strictly be observed so the PhilHealth cards will not be used for “politics” especially with the polls upcoming.

“Mga lingkod bayan po kami at ayaw naming magamit ang PhilHealth sa politika,” he said.

Balog also announced the “PhilHealth Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection” on February 17.

The event, in partnership with the Department of Health, he said, is an avenue in “celebrating the victory in achieving universal health care coverage, in increasing public awareness on the benefits and services of PhilHealth, as well as in showcasing corporate social responsibility of beneficiaries involved in the health protection of mother and child.”

PhilHealth Run 2013 will be held simultaneously in Clark Freeport and Malolos City in Bulacan. (Jovi T. De Leon)