New scheme on PhilHealth checks releasing
Members and hospitals who have refund from PhilHealth can now claim their checks directly from PhilHealth Service offices covering their areas.
This after PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO VI) announced to all its stakeholders effective August 22, 2006 to implement a new way of check releasing wherein all benefit payment checks can already be claimed through the respective service offices. This innovation is in line with its mandate to establish close coordination with clients through a strong partnership with all stakeholders, and provide effective internal information and management systems to influence the delivery of quality health care, aside from its manifest cost saving and safety measures.
PRO VI should only be sending through Postal office the notices for members, with instruction to claim their refund from the respective Provincial Service Offices. Benefit Payment Notice without check shall also be mailed to their addresses, so members are advised to write their complete mailing addresses in filing their claims. Members who submitted official receipts outside purchase of medicines and supplies and benefits not yet maximized through hospital deduction maybe refunded.
PhilHealth Provincial service offices are in Kalibo, Aklan; Roxas City, Capiz; San Jose, Antique; Iloilo City; and in the cities of Bacolod, Sagay and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental. Every LGUs are classified by clusters under the service office where they belong.
To claim the check, a member should bring along with them the Notice from PhilHealth together with at least two valid proofs of their identities. For authorized representative, one is required to present a valid authorization letter from the member together with at least two valid identification cards aside from the member's Notice and two valid IDs. The requirement is being asked to ensure propriety of releasing and to shun fraudulent claims.
PRO VI, on the average, receives not less than 700 claims per day for processing and the corresponding reimbursements in the form of checks are either paid to the hospital, member or to the accredited physicians.
Mr. James Diamansil, the PRO VI Cashier estimated an average of 500-600 Benefit Payment checks being generated per day. In 2005 alone, PhilHealth Regional Office paid around 1.2 billion pesos as benefits of PhilHealth members and dependents.