Manila: The Ilocos Region currently has 16 facilities accredited to provide selected outpatient cancer screening tests as of June 25. Among these, Ilocos Norte hosts two facilities, Ilocos Sur has five, La Union and Central Pangasinan each have three, Eastern Pangasinan has two, and Western Pangasinan has one. These facilities' names are listed on PhilHealth Ilocos Region's official Facebook page.
According to Philippines News Agency, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) 1 (Ilocos Region) public affairs unit head Joseph Manuel stated that members can access outpatient cancer screening tests such as mammogram, breast ultrasound, liver ultrasound, alpha-fetoprotein, low-dose chest CT scan, and colonoscopy under PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP). PhilHealth will cover the costs of these outpatient screening tests at accredited facilities.
The costs for the screening tests are as follows: PHP2,610 for a mammogram, PHP1,350 for a breast ultrasound, PHP7,220 for a low-dose chest CT scan, PHP1,230 for an alpha-fetoprotein test, PHP960 for a liver ultrasound, and PHP23,640 for a colonoscopy. "The benefit packages will cover direct expenses like medical supplies, medicines, equipment, and indirect expenses such as electric bills, personnel, administrative supplies, information technology, in the conduct of the test; including the fees to the reader or professional fees," Manuel explained.
Manuel also emphasized that there is no co-payment and no balance billing for all PhilHealth beneficiaries, whether they choose public or private health facilities. He clarified that these tests are intended for screening purposes and not for diagnostic use. "Magpunta lamang sa iyong napiling YAKAP Clinic para sa referral ng doktor sa accredited screening facilities (Just go to your nearest chosen YAKAP Clinic for the referral of the doctor in the accredited screening facilities)," Manuel advised.
