MAP forms part of PCSO’s primary initiative to generate and provide funds for the implementation of different healthcare programs and other outreach activities to help cater to the needs of disadvantaged sectors in the country.
In particular, MAP grants medical and financial assistance to individuals seeking to augment their funds for health-related expenses.
The said program offers coverage of healthcare costs from confinement, erythropoietin (dialysis injection), cancer treatment, hemodialysis, to laboratory (blood chemistry) as well as diagnostic and imaging procedures.
It also covers catastrophic illnesses such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and kidney or liver transplant. Implant and medical devices such as pacemaker, septal occluder, valves, and other PCSI devices are likewise part of the coverage.
MAP also tends to individuals that are in need of specialty medicines (hemophilia, rheumatoid arthritis, post kidney transplant medicines, anti-lupus, psoriasis, orphan diseases, hematologic and auto-immune disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, and Thalassemia and neuro-psychiatric).
What documents are needed to avail the MAP?
Here are the essential documentary requirements that you need to prepare in case you are availing the MAP:
- Original/certified photocopy of medical abstract with license number and signature of the doctor;
- Official Statement of Accounts with signature of the Billing Officer less the benefits availment from PhilHealth and other relevant deductions (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for confinement);
- Certification of PhilHealth benefits availment from the hospital (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for radiation therapy);
- Original prescription (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for dialysis injection);
- Original endorsement with official quotation (applicable for dialysis center and hospital);
- At least three (3) official quotations from different supplier if not available from the dialysis center/hospital (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for chemo drugs and implant and medical devices);
- Original or Certified True Copy of the Treatment Protocol (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for cancer treatment);
- Letter of Acceptance for Guarantee Letter (applicable to individuals requesting coverage for laboratory, diagnostic, and imaging procedures as well as implant and medical devices);
- Photocopy of the valid ID of the availing individual or next of kin in case of Kidney/Liver Transplant or CABG;
For reference, the list of hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) that accept PCSO Guarantee Letter can be viewed here: https://shorturl.at/awH28.
How can you avail of this program through the NCR-MAP Online Application?
The step-by-step procedures are as follows:
- Prepare and scan all the documentary requirements;
- Go to the E-Services site at the official PCSO Website (www.pcso.gov.ph) and click NCR Online Application for Medical Assistance to proceed with the application;
- Fill-in the required information and details in the MAP Application;
- Upload the scanned documents to the system;
- Wait for the notification of the status of the request to the provided email of the individual within 24 hours. If approved, print the Guarantee Letter (GL) and the MAP application form;
- Submit the printed Guarantee Letter and MAP application form including the complete documentary requirements to the Hospital, Dialysis Center, Partner Health Facility (PHF)/medicine retailer or Diagnostic Center;
- A notification on the status of the request via email shall be provided within 24 hours from the submission of application and complete documentary requirements;
The NCR-MAP Online Application is accessible from Monday to Friday, starting at 8:00 am. It will remain open until the site reaches the allowable number of cases/requests for the day. In case your application did not proceed, you are advised to re-apply on the next working day.
Staying true to ‘Bawat Taya, May Kawanggawa’
Just for year 2023, the MAP was able to provide medical and financial assistance among 268,538 individuals which translates to more than P1 billion. Of these, over P420 million was distributed for 31,485 individuals in NCR.
MAP is just one of the programs and services of PCSO that are geared towards establishing a responsive healthcare system for Filipinos.
The agency is also spearheading the provision of patient transport vehicles to various local government units, especially those that are conflict-stricken, vulnerable, and geographically isolated, through its Medical Transport Vehicle (MTV) donation program.
This adds to the auxiliary ambulance service, medicine donation program, and the medical and dental mission activities that are being regularly conducted by PCSO.
These initiatives only prove that playing the lottery does not only give a chance to a better life but also gives a ‘ticket’ for others to have a healthier, longer one.
For some, lotto is merely a gamble that puts one’s financial future at stake. But if you play the odds right, this game of chance can be a profitable venture, too–knowing that every bet you make, you are helping others to break the cycle of hopelessness. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
