PhilHealth to launch Konsulta package

PhilHealth is set to roll out in the second half of the year the Konsulta package or the comprehensive outpatient services under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, an official announced last Wednesday.

Under Konsulta or Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama, all PhilHealth members and their dependents would be qualified to avail of outpatient services like medical check-ups and medicine procurement from both government and private facilities.

“Unlike before, Konsulta will be for every Filipino, young and old. All of us will be entitled to standard services which include initial and follow-up consultations with a primary care provider, targeted health risk screening and assessment to include digital rectal and breast examinations,” PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales said in a forum that day.

The proposal entitles each person P500 in a government facility and P750 for private facilities.

Aside from these, a total of 17 lab tests are included such as complete blood test with platelet count, urinalysis, fecalysis, pap smear, ECG, and chest X-ray, among others.

Morales said the package would also afford members with drugs or antibiotics for asthma, diabetes, fever, hypertension and lipid metabolism disorders.

But before members could see a specialist or avail of tertiary care, they should first see a Konsulta provider, Morales said.

“Imagine all Filipinos being taken care of by primary care providers of their choice, in communities that they are in,” he added.

The PhilHealth said its standards are needed to be met by local governments with regards to their rural health units to ensure easy accessibility for all.