The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) here is inviting more pharmaceutical service providers to join the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) initiative under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
Data on Thursday showed that as of April 30, there are 25 GAMOT providers in Negros Occidental, including 13 in this highly urbanized city and 12 in other local government units (LGUs)
In an interview, PhilHealth Bacolod head Edgar Yocariza said there are cities and municipalities that still do not have accredited GAMOT providers.
“We are requesting owners of drug stores and pharmacies in other LGUs to join the program so that more people can avail of free medicines,” he added.
Yocariza said accredited service providers can speak for themselves on their experiences in partnering with PhilHealth, particularly in the payment of dispensed drugs and medicines.
“PhilHealth pays not more than 15 days after the drugs and medicines are released to the members,” he added.
In Bacolod City, among the health facilities accredited as GAMOT providers are Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital as well as LGE Pharmacy, Vaximax Marketing Ventures, and five branches of Generika Drugstore.
Among those in other LGUs are Alfredo E. Marañon Memorial District Hospital and Generika Drugstore in Sagay City, MC Trinidad Blessed Pharmacy in Silay City, Raffa Pharma Corp. in Talisay City, Kabankalan City Hospital, Cauayan District Hospital, and Sipalay City Primary Care Facility.
GAMOT provides members and their dependents with access to 75 essential medicines for common and chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, infections, and selected cardiovascular and neurological conditions.
Each beneficiary, whether a member or a dependent, is entitled to up to PHP20,000 worth of medicines per year.
Meanwhile, there are 56 YAKAP clinics in Negros Occidental, of which six are in Bacolod City.
Through PhilHealth’s YAKAP, registered members and their qualified dependents may avail of free primary care consultations, preventive health services, selected laboratory tests, and essential medicines, as provided under the benefit package. (PNA)
