Bicol OFWs now enjoy Philhealth out-patient benefit package

Legazpi City (17 July) -- As PhilHealth carries on its mandate to provide affordable quality health insurance for all Filipinos, it also offers significant outpatient services to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

PhilHealth, by virtue of the agency's circular No. 13, s. 2007, has stepped up its Enhanced Out-Patient Benefit Package (OPB) for members of the Overseas Workers Program (OWP) and their dependents implemented since July 1, 2007.

With the circular, the Enhanced OPB is consist of consultations, diagnostics, promotive/preventive and curative services that can be availed by a land-based OFW and his/her qualified dependents in hospitals identified by the Department of Health (DOH) to provide such services at no additional cost to the patient/members (zero co-pay).

The diagnostic services included in the OPB are as follows: blood count (CBC), routine urinalysis, fecalysis, fasting blood sugar, blood typing, hemoglobin/hematocrit, electrocardiogram (ECG), anti-streptolysin O (ASO-Titer), Hepatitis B Screening Test, Treponema pallidum hemaglutination assay (TPHA), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), pregnancy test, x-ray (skull, chest lower and upper extremities), sputum microscopy, and pap smear.

Among the said promotive/preventive health services are visual acetic and screening for cervical cancer, periodic digital rectal examination, periodic clinical breast examination (CBE), and counseling for cessation on smoking.

Also included in these outpatient services are visual acuity examination, psychological evaluation and debriefing and auditory evaluation.

OFWs and their dependents can avail of these benefits in identified participating DOH hospitals.
For Bicol region, the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City and the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital here are accredited to provide tertiary care and the said outpatient benefit package.

To avail of the Enhanced OWP OPB package, the OFW member or his/her dependent must present to the hospital a copy of his/her Member Data Record (MDR). In the absence of MDR, one can submit instead his/her Proof of Contribution (PhilHealth Official Receipt or E-Receipt) or proof of dependency, in case of dependents.

It is important to note however, that the date of availment of this package must fall within the validity period as reflected on the Member Data Record of the OVFW member. After the hospital verifies the documents presented, the availee shall then proceed to the doctor for consultation.

The said Enhanced Outpatient Benefit (OPB) Package for land-based OFWs and their dependents is separate from their existing benefits such as TB-DOTS, Maternity Care Package, Outpatient Day Surgeries and Procedures, Dialysis and In-Patient Care. Thus, this will not be deducted from the 45-day room and board allowance for members and their dependents.
OFWs and their dependents are encouraged to avail of this benefit package as we ceaselessly provide affordable and quality health care services that is well-deserved by our modern day heroes and the families they leave behind. (PhilHealth/PIA) [top]

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