Health package for OFWs and Dependents
Maria Theresa S. Samante, Dec 28, 2007
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhiliHealth) has expanded the Out-patient benefit package to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents to “Enhanced Overseas Workers Program Out-patient Benefit Package”.
The PhilHealth, together with the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated P6 million for the realization of the health package. This package will also benefit the OFWs and their dependents.
The expanded health benefits covers consultations, diagnostic services (blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood typing, blood sugar, hemoglobin/hematocrit, electrocardiogram and hepatitis B screening test; preventive health services such as periodic digital rectal exam; visual acetic screening for cervical cancer, clinical breast exam, nutrition or dietary counseling.
The following is also covered by the package: visual acuity exams, psychological evaluation and debriefing, auditory evaluation and treatment for UTI, upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis.
The enhanced health benefit will be offered to OFWs as well as their dependents this year in all DOH hospitals in the country, according to PhilHealth president and
This package according to the PhilHealth president adopts a “no-out-of-pocket” expense for the patients who avail of the services included in the benefit package rendered at the DOH-hospitals.
She also added that for the smooth implementation of health benefit, PhilHealth will assist DOH. The DOH hospitals will definitely in action to give the services that are included in the “Enhanced Out-patient Benefit Package for Overseas Workers Patients” members and dependents.
The administrative and operational capabilities of hospitals will also upgrade and continuously improve by PhilHealth and DOH to ensure that the hospitals conform with PhilHealth's standards and that OFWs and their dependents can avail the ‘zero co-pay system’ of the benefit package.
Source:
PIA.gov.ph
