PhilHealth launches fully ‘loaded’ card

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) launched its new card that is loaded with benefits.

The card entitles all PhilHealth members to discounts for medicines and other health services. Watson’s Pharmacy will give discounts for medicine and cosmetic products while Rose Pharmacy and SouthStar Drug will have discounts for its unbranded generic drugs. Qualifirst, a subsidiary of United Laboratories, will also give 50-percent to 60-percent discount for its generic medicines. Also, Glaxo-Smith Kleine will offer 80-percent discount for their flu vaccines while PQ Health Shield will provide 20 percent discount on all vaccines given in their outlets. Fresenius Medical Care will reduce the price of hemodialysis from P6,700 to P4,000 in its 18 outlets in Luzon and Visayas. Vivian Sarabia, on the other hand, will give free eye \exam and 20-percent discount for lenses.

Unilab will shoulder the P50 card fee for senior citizens.

The new scheme is in line with the government’s Universal Health Program that aims to provide better PhilHealth coverage to members.

“We launched this new ID card because we are employing another approach to further expand our membership base and help achieve our government’s goal of Universal Health Care by 2013. To do this, we are adding value to the PhilHealth card by loading it with incentives and privileges that our members may avail themselves of at participating commercial establishments. As such, even if they are not hospitalized, they will still be able to make use of their PhilHealth ID card to maintain their good health.” PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rey Aquino said.

The project will first be implemented in Metro Manila on September 12, Luzon on September 19, Visayas on September 26 and Mindanao on October 3.

Those who want to become Philhealth members can go to any SM mall or CIS Bayad Centers to register. Globe and Smart telecommunications will allow users to transact with PhilHealth through their mobile phones. –LEA MANTO-BELTRAN HEALTHNEWS ASSOCIATE EDITOR, Manila Times