NAGA CITY (PIA) -- PhilHealth Camarines Sur Chief Social Insurance Officer Annel San Pablo assured the public that their office remains steadfast in providing the best healthcare coverage and accessible health services to their clients in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

San Pablo, during the Philippine Information Agency-Camarines Sur’s “Kapihan sa PIA,” aired Wednesday, Aug 11, over 89.5 Radyo Natin-Naga, stressed that PhilHealth Camarines Sur recognizes the financial difficulties of every family afflicted with any type of illness, especially COVID-19 in this time of global health crisis.

“During difficult times like this, PhilHealth services would somehow help unload the burden that every sick family is experiencing, especially if they or a member of their family is afflicted with COVID 19. Since April 15, 2020 last year, our COVID-19 package are already available in all accredited hospitals, particularly in government hospitals,” San Pablo added.

For COVID-19 related illness, San Pablo said that they have the COVID Testing Package which ranges from P901.00 to 3,409.00.  This is done in accredited Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)-Department of Health (DOH) certified laboratories.

PhilHealth also offers Community Isolation Benefit Package with a maximum amount of P22,449.00.  It includes all identified services needed to manage cases that needs isolation. This may apply to suspected COVID cases, probable, or confirmed cases.  The services shall be provided by identified Community Isolation Units (CIU) in various parts of the country.

Pneumonia Package is also being offered as part of the COVID packages of PhilHealth. Amount ranges from P43,997 to P786,384, depending on the severity of the said illness.

PhilHealth classifies pneumonia as mild, moderate, severe and critical. The assistance depends on the diagnosis.

San Pablo also announced that in Camarines Sur, the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center (BRGHGMC) is already offering the PhilHealth’s Konsulta package or PhilHealth Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama package.

“We are happy to inform our clients that BRGHGMC or the Bicol Sanitarium is already offering PhilHealth’s Konsulta Package.  Included in this bundle is check-up, health screening and assessment, laboratory and medicine depending on the health risk, age and needs of the patient,” San Pablo said.

San Pablo calls on other health care providers or facilities to get their PhilHealth accreditation. The package is usually being offered at the Outpatient Department or section of private or government hospitals and non-hospital facilities like Rural Health Units (RHUs), Health Centers, Ambulatory Surgical Clinics, infirmaries, primary care facilities, and other private outpatient clinics.

Currently, there are 9 applicants for the Konsulta Package accreditation. It includes the Rural Health Units (RHUs) of Nabua, Ragay, Lupi, San Fernando, Ocampo, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose and the Iriga City Health Office.  (LSM/PIA5/Camarines Sur)