PhilHealth assures coverage of Indigenous Peoples in NEcija

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has assured the coverage of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Nueva Ecija as the agency begins organizing membership for them.

In a statement, PhilHealth Gapan Local Health Insurance Corp. head Angelito Creencia said the agency is pursuing the immediate and hassle-free processing of the IPs’ membership to also accelerate their registration.

He said although there are ongoing limitations in travelling to communities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, PhilHealth is determined to deliver its services to IPs in the province.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Nueva Ecija provincial office provided the list of IPs needed for their PhilHealth Number or ID.

Creencia said the activity will continue until all IPs in the province become members or dependents of PhilHealth programs, which is also stated in the Universal Health Care Law that PROVIDES BENEfiTS AND SERVICES OF the agency to every Filipino.

He added that coordination between PhilHealth and the NCIP will ensure that coverage of each IP member and their dependents will benefit them, especially of their unfamiliarity with the programs and services of the government health insurance.

NCIP records and Philippine Statistics Authority data show that there are at least 100,000 IP members in the province.