Bicol: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is actively encouraging its registered members in the Bicol region, numbering over 6.20 million, to make full use of its expanded health benefits, specifically through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT).
According to Philippines News Agency, PhilHealth Bicol boasts a 97-percent registration rate in the region. The expanded benefit packages are designed to enhance healthcare service access and provide more robust financial protection for Bicolanos. During a recent briefing for media partners and information officers, PhilHealth Regional Vice President Alberto Manduriao highlighted the importance of these programs delivering tangible support to members and their families. Manduriao emphasized, "A policy is useless if its impact isn't felt," underscoring the necessity for healthcare policies to benefit patients, families, and healthcare providers alike.
PhilHealth Public Affairs Unit Public Relations Officer III Leri Ilagan also stressed the importance of raising awareness among members about the YAKAP program to ensure they can access the healthcare services intended for them. YAKAP is one of PhilHealth's expanded outpatient benefits under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. Currently, PhilHealth Bicol has 737 accredited healthcare facilities, with 210 accredited under YAKAP and 128 under GAMOT.
GAMOT allows qualified beneficiaries to receive up to PHP20,000 worth of covered medicines annually. Additionally, PhilHealth Bicol offers specialized benefit packages that include general mental health services, severe acute malnutrition treatment, physical medicine and rehabilitation, assistive devices, outpatient emergency care, preventive oral health services, and pediatric optometric services. The agency has also set up 100 facilities for Electronic Member Registration and Records Amendment (EMRRA), processing 12,446 transactions in 2026.
To bolster implementation, PhilHealth Bicol has organized orientations, training sessions, coordination meetings, courtesy calls, policy dialogues, and memorandum of agreement signings with stakeholders. The agency's benefits now extend beyond traditional inpatient and outpatient coverage to include a range of specialized packages under YAKAP and GAMOT, as well as other programs to support outpatient emergency care, mental health services, and more.
PhilHealth has also increased case rates for numerous medical conditions and expanded packages for hemodialysis, maternity, leptospirosis, and Z-benefits. The lifting of the single period of confinement and 45-day benefit limit is another significant measure aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients. The Z Benefits specifically provide assistance for life-threatening illnesses that require extended hospitalization or costly treatments, which could otherwise significantly impact a family's finances.
