PhilHealth brings health services to Caraga parolees, probationers
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — True to its vision of ‘Bawat Pilipino Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro Protektado, Kalusugan ng Lahat Segurado,’ the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Caraga signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) Caraga, bringing inclusive healthcare coverage to parolees and probationers in the region.
The partnership that was signed on February 12 at SM City Butuan aims to extend healthcare coverage to parolees and probationers in the region, ensuring that they are enrolled as PhilHealth members and can avail themselves of benefits under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
“Compared to the regular benefit packages of PhilHealth that can be availed of during hospital confinement, the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) focuses on outpatient primary care services. It promotes early detection of potential illnesses,” said Doctor Joel Arturo De Jesus, chief of the Healthcare Delivery Management Division.
De Jesus explained that YAKAP is an enhanced and improved version of the previous Konsulta Program, designed to strengthen preventive and primary healthcare services for members and now, including the parolees and probationers.
Through this collaboration, PhilHealth strengthens its commitment to universal health care by making health services more inclusive and accessible, especially to vulnerable sectors.
PhilHealth Caraga and the Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center, Butuan City, signed a contract for the Z Benefit Package, which covers selected orthopedic implants and expands access to specialized health services.
Under the Z Benefit Package, PhilHealth provides financial risk protection for members requiring high-cost medical procedures, including selected orthopedic implant cases, thereby reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving access to quality care.
This initiative of Philhealth Caraga under the leadership of Regional Vice President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez underscored the government’s continued efforts to promote social reintegration, while safeguarding the health and well-being of every Filipino. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
