MANILA -- PhilHealth on Friday assured its members and non-members of continuous access to its health care benefits as Typhoon Ompong batters the northern and central part of Luzon.
In a statement, PhilHealth said it will extend assistance even to its non-members even if they're confined in non-accredited facilities, subject to certain conditions as specified in PhilHealth Circular 34, series of 2013.
"This policy is in accordance with the provision of special privileges to those affected by fortuitous events stipulated in the said Circular, which covers members, non-members and their dependents; admission to accredited or non-accredited facilities that are DOH-licensed or DOH-certified; and treatment and management by accredited or non-accredited health care professionals who are duly licensed by the Professional Regulations Commission," PhilHealth said.
The guidelines also cover claims for medical treatment done as an outpatient or inpatient, relative to the direct and indirect effects of the fortuitous event within the health care institution or an improvised or satellite facility; and patients transferred from or managed by health care personnel from accredited facilities in an evacuation area, or improvised health care facilities.
"The policy extends to certain privileges like exemption from the 45 days annual benefit limit, Single Period of Confinement and the less than 24 hour confinement policies; extension of filing up to 120 days, payment of premium contributions or extension of coverage, reimbursement for both referring and receiving health care institutions," the statement said.
It will also include priority in the processing of claims, extension of the deadline for submission of health care facility reports and extension of accreditation of providers as applicable. (PNA)
