Indigent PhilHealth member enjoys free consultation, medicines under ‘KonSulTa’

Meliza Labajo, an indigent member of Philhealth from Talisay City, Cebu shared her experience and the benefits she got when she availed the KonSulTa package. (Photo from Philhealth 7 FB Page)

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Meliza Labajo from Talisay City in Cebu did not expect that she would not have to pay for anything when she went to the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor serbisyo caravan to see a doctor.

“Unexpected kay naa'y free nga tambal sad. Wala ko'y nabayran. (It was unexpected because my medicines were also free. I did not pay for anything),” Labajo said.

She availed of the ‘KonSulTa’ (Konsultasyong Sulit Tama) program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) after she signed up for it during the serbisyo caravan in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City.

As an indigent, she is thankful that there is a government program that can help her seek medical services for free.

“Nagpasalamat ko'g dako kay naa'y ingon ani nga programa nga nahimo. Unta magpa-member sad sila kay nindot siya nga pamaagi. (I am very thankful that there is a program like this. I hope other indigents can also register for this program and avail of the benefits),” she added.

As of November 2023, PhilHealth has 4,454,762 members in Central Visayas with 1,732,193 members who are registered KonSulTa clients.

Universal Health Care

Started in February 2019, the KonSulTa program is PhilHealth’s comprehensive outpatient benefit under the Universal Health Care (UHC).

Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act aims to ensure that every Filipino has access to a primary healthcare provider.

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Under the KonSulTa package, all Philhealth members including their qualified dependents can avail of the benefits provided that they have registered in their selected accredited KonSulTa facility.

KonSulTa benefits

KonSulTa members are eligible to avail of the following benefits for free:

Consultation
Health Risk Screening and Assessment
Selected Laboratory and Diagnostic Test
Selected Drugs and medicines

The package covers initial and follow-up primary care consultations.

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Infographic from Philhealth 7 FB Page

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Infographic from Philhealth 7 FB Page

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KonSulTa package

Under the KonSulTa package, Philhealth shall disburse an annual capitation fee of P500 for registered patients under public healthcare providers and P750 for those under private healthcare providers.

This fee supplements the support provided by the local government, with the P500 serving as an additional amount for providers in the public sector.

Members can also avail of 13 laboratory and diagnostic tests as required by the physician and 21 selected drugs as part of the comprehensive case management plan.

PhilHealth Public Relations Officer Dina Cinchez, in an interview, said the free medicines are part of the requirements for facilities who wish to be accredited as a KonSulTa provider.

“Ideally, these KonSulTa providers should be able to give out free medicines to KonSulTa clients since it’s part of the accreditation requirement,” said Cinchez.

As of January 12,2024 there are already 209 accredited KonSulTa package providers in Region 7.

“Notably, Bohol was the first in Region 7 to accredit their rural health units,” Cinchez added.

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Registered members may also choose their healthcare provider so long as they are accredited with the program.

“Registered KonSulTa clients have the option to choose their provider and could even go to a provider from a different province as long as it will be the same KonSulTa provider within the year,” explained Cinchez.

She added that they also have received applications for accreditation from private hospitals.

For a comprehensive list of PhilHealth partners, accredited healthcare, and service providers, visit this link: www.philhealth.gov.ph/partners/ .

Registration can be completed either by self-registering on the member portal at www.philhealth.gov.ph or by visiting any PhilHealth Local Insurance Office in their vicinity.

Registration forms are available for download in this link: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2020/AnnexC_PhilHealthKonsultaRegistrationForm.pdf. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)

Indigent PhilHealth member enjoys free consultation, medicines under ‘KonSulTa’

Indigent PhilHealth member enjoys free consultation, medicines under ‘KonSulTa’