By Sally Atento-Altea
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — For Andrea Camba, a mother of three, a persistent cough had become both a health concern and a financial burden.
After trying various cough medicines and home remedies without relief, Camba sought help through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, known as YAKAP. Through this program, she received medical attention and antibiotics without any cost for the services covered.
“I’ve tried many cough medicines and home treatments, but my cough still did not go away,” Camba said in her dialect.
“It’s a big relief that, with the YAKAP program, I was able to get my checkup and medications for free,” she added.
Camba is among the residents of Albay who have accessed primary health care and medications through PhilHealth’s YAKAP and Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) programs.
As of July, PhilHealth Bicol reported 54 accredited YAKAP clinics and 30 GAMOT providers in Albay, expanding access to consultations, laboratory examinations, and essential medications for PhilHealth members.
PhilHealth Bicol information officer Leri Ilagan said that the increasing number of accredited facilities allows residents to access services closer to their communities, thereby reducing out-of-pocket health expenses.
Under YAKAP, members can access primary care consultations and selected laboratory tests, including complete blood count, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, creatinine tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, urinalysis, and fecalysis.
As of July 31, PhilHealth recorded 270,781 first patient encounters in Albay under YAKAP, contributing to more than 1.8 million encounters across the Bicol region.
Fifteen municipalities and cities in Albay have accredited YAKAP clinics. Tabaco City has the highest number, with 10 accredited clinics, followed by Legazpi City with eight and Bacacay with four.
For members who choose accredited private clinics, PhilHealth covers YAKAP services with a maximum co-payment of P900 per year.
Senior citizen Justina Orbe, from Barangay Bigaa in Legazpi City, said that the program has made regular health monitoring more affordable.
Orbe noted that she was able to undergo fasting blood sugar and creatinine tests as part of her regular checkups and obtain maintenance medications for her high blood pressure. “It’s a significant saving for a senior citizen like me, especially since I only rely on my small pension for my expenses,” she said.
In addition to diagnostic services, PhilHealth is also expanding access to essential medicines through the GAMOT program.
Ilagan explained that the GAMOT program covers 75 basic drugs and medicines, with each beneficiary entitled to up to P20,000 worth of benefits per year. Members do not have to pay a co-payment for the medicines included in the GAMOT list, provided they remain within the annual benefit limit.
The program has generated substantial financial support for patients in the province. PhilHealth processed nearly P18 million in GAMOT claims for over 1,000 beneficiaries in Albay, out of the P29.77 million paid for GAMOT claims across the Bicol region.
PhilHealth Bicol Regional Vice President Alberto Manduriao emphasized that these payments represent more than just financial transactions; they reflect the health needs of patients and the assistance extended to their families and healthcare providers.
“Behind every peso paid is a patient who needed care, a family that needed financial protection, and a health care facility that needed support to continue serving our people,” Manduriao said.
Ilagan emphasized that members must seek services from PhilHealth-accredited facilities in order to access benefits under the YAKAP and GAMOT programs.
During an orientation on PhilHealth updates for media and information partners—including members of the Albay Communicators Network and representatives from other partner agencies—the updated list of accredited providers was presented.
The list of accredited YAKAP and GAMOT service providers in Albay may be accessed by checking this link: https://tinyurl.com/5be3vpfn. (PIA Bicol/Albay)
