By Irene Joy B. Dayo
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) – “PhilHealth is currently implementing the KONSULTA program. Residents should take advantage of it,” said Gingoog City Local Health Insurance Office Head Antonio Arnaiz Jr. during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in Cagayan de Oro City on Sept. 10. He covers the areas of Camiguin and the first district of Misamis Oriental.
KONSULTA, or Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama, is a comprehensive outpatient benefit mandated by the Universal Health Care Law. It aims to protect Filipinos from chronic diseases, prevent complications through early detection, and provide affordable drugs and medicines.
Arnaiz encouraged residents of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental to take advantage of the services offered by 14 accredited healthcare providers in the area.
“Giawhag nako ang mga residente sa Camiguin ug first district sa Misamis Oriental nga mo-adto sa mga pasilidad para matabangan nato ang PhilHealth. Robust kaayo ang panudlanan sa PhilHealth busa tabangan nato paggasto sa pundo kay para kana sa inyo,” he said.
PhilHealth Northern Mindanao Delio A. Aseron II said that under the KONSULTA program, PhilHealth members are also eligible to avail of consultation, selected laboratory and diagnostic tests, selected drugs and medicines, and health risk screening and assessment. (Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
(I urge the residents of Camiguin and the first district of Misamis Oriental to visit these facilities and help PhilHealth utilize its funds for your benefit.)
PhilHealth Northern Mindanao Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II explained that KONSULTA addresses concerns that PhilHealth benefits are only available when members are already sick.
He said that under the KONSULTA program, each member is assigned a private care provider of their choice, offering 15 laboratory tests and 21 free drugs and medicines, as prescribed by doctors.
“Para sa akin, ito na ang sasagot sa laging sinasabing: Ay, hindi ko naman nagagamit ang PhilHealth ko. Pag nagkakasakit lang ako. Sa Konsulta, ang PhilHealth tumataya. Doon na tayo sa preventive. Ayaw na po namin kayong magkasakit. Alam niyo naman, tayong mga Pilipino ay ‘di sanay na mag-prayoridad sa ating kalusugan. Ang tingin natin pag tayo ay lumalapit at nagkokunsulta sa doktor ay gastos,” Aseron emphasized.
(For me, this answers to those who always say, “Oh, I can’t use my PhilHealth. Only when I get sick.” KONSULTA shifts the focus to prevention. We want to prioritize health before illness strikes. Many Filipinos view doctor consultations as unnecessary expenses, but we’re working to change that mindset.)
Under KONSULTA, PhilHealth members are also eligible to avail of consultation, selected laboratory and diagnostic tests, selected drugs and medicines, and health risk screening and assessment.
Aseron also reported that in Misamis Oriental, there are 763,378 PhilHealth members and 572,733 dependents. (IJBD/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
