PhilHealth vows to ensure senior citizens will get adequate health care services
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — PhilHealth reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to deliver adequate, accessible, and inclusive health services to all Filipinos, especially the elderly and other vulnerable sectors, through its continuing implementation of flagship programs such as the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy.
In line with the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week, PhilHealth Caraga, represented by Jocelyn Cañete, Chief of the Field Operations Division, underscored the agency’s ongoing initiatives to ensure that senior citizens continue to receive adequate medical and financial support through the national health insurance program.
“All Filipinos can benefit from PhilHealth, especially the senior citizens, because we are all members of the state health insurer,” Cañete said during the Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan on October 1.
She explained that under PhilHealth’s social health insurance coverage, senior citizens are entitled to hospitalization and other medical benefits, guaranteeing access to essential healthcare services when needed.
Cañete clarified that indigent members and senior citizens admitted to government hospitals are covered under the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy, which ensures that qualified patients need not pay out-of-pocket expenses for covered medical services. However, she noted that those admitted to private health facilities may still avail of PhilHealth benefits, but charges not covered will be paid by the patient.
To further strengthen its primary healthcare delivery, PhilHealth rolled out the YAKAP, an enhanced version of the Konsulta package, which provides all Filipinos with access to outpatient services. Members may avail of up to P20,000 worth of outpatient health services annually, including consultations, diagnostic procedures, and medicines. Those already registered under the Konsulta program are automatically covered under YAKAP, with no need for re-enrollment.
Cañete also emphasized that PhilHealth continues to collaborate closely with partner agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that even those not fully covered can still receive medical assistance.
Through these sustained efforts, PhilHealth underscores its mission to provide financial protection and quality healthcare to every Filipino, ensuring that no one, especially the elderly and indigents, is left behind in the pursuit of universal health coverage.
During the Kapihan, Japhet Floria, one of the media partners, praised PhilHealth, saying that the YAKAP and ZBB initiatives are a big help to communities, especially to those who cannot afford the high cost of healthcare. He also expressed appreciation for PhilHealth’s presence during the Elderly Filipino Week celebration, noting that the agency’s updates help raise awareness and encourage more people to avail of its services. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
