PhilHealth Tacloban and Ormoc offices now open to serve; issues policy on fortuitous events

In just two weeks after Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced that its local health insurance offices in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc are now up and running to serve the health insurance needs of members and non-members alike.

PhilHealth fulfilled its promise to open the two leading offices Monday, November 25, after suffering from heavy damage from strong winds and storm surges.

"We are back in operation in these two major cities for the benefit of our members and partners, thanks to our resilient and dedicated team in Region VIII"PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla said.
PhilHealth earlier assured the public that at least seven of their local health insurance offices and service desks in Southern Leyte, Samar and Biliran are still up and running despite the severe damage and very unusual situation that their employees are in.

"These offices can perform membership registration and verification concerns (without online inquiry due to power outage) and receiving of benefit claims and premium contributions, except for the service desks" Padilla said, adding that members and partners can contact their Yolanda Action Center at (02) 441-7425 to 26 for PhilHealth’s disaster recovery, rehabilitation and support efforts in the area.

The PhilHealth Chief also said that to institutionalize their response during fortuitous events of such magnitude, PhilHealth has issued a policy that will serve as their template of response to ensure continuing health care benefits during such "acts of God".

In its Circular 34, s-2013 dated November 15, 2013, PhilHealth will pay claims of members and non-members and accredited and non-accredited hospitals and professionals during such events.

"We will even extend filing period for claims to 120 days from date of discharge, make exemptions to the less than 24-hour confinement rule, and even reimbursement for destroyed claims" Padilla stressed.

The Circular also allows for extension of deadline of premium payments and/or existing coverage as prescribed by PhilHealth, among other. 

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