The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Bicol is urging its more than 6.20 million registered members in the region to maximize its expanded health benefits, particularly the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT).

PhilHealth Bicol has recorded a 97-percent registration rate in the region, with its expanded benefit packages aimed at improving access to healthcare services and providing greater financial protection to Bicolanos.

During the PhilHealth Updates for Media Partners and Information Officers of Partner Agencies on Tuesday, PhilHealth Regional Vice President Alberto Manduriao emphasized that the agency’s programs should translate into actual assistance for members and their families.

“A policy is useless if its impact isn’t felt,” he said, stressing that healthcare policies must benefit patients seeking medical care, families needing financial protection, and healthcare providers who need support to continue serving the public.

“This is not simply a story of numbers but a story of the expanded benefits, broader coverage, faster service, and strong financial protection for the Bicolanos,” Manduriao added.

PhilHealth Public Affairs Unit Public Relations Officer III Leri Ilagan, meanwhile, underscored the need to continuously encourage members to use the YAKAP program, saying awareness of available benefits is essential for members to access the healthcare services intended for them.

YAKAP is among PhilHealth’s expanded outpatient benefits under the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

Based on the latest available data, PhilHealth Bicol has 737 accredited healthcare facilities across the region, including 210 accredited under YAKAP and 128 under GAMOT.

Under GAMOT, qualified beneficiaries may receive up to PHP20,000 worth of covered medicines annually.

PhilHealth Bicol also provides specialized benefit packages covering general mental health services, severe acute malnutrition treatment, physical medicine and rehabilitation, assistive devices, outpatient emergency care, preventive oral health services, and pediatric optometric services.

The agency has established 100 facilities for Electronic Member Registration and Records Amendment (EMRRA), which processed 12,446 transactions in 2026.

To strengthen implementation, PhilHealth Bicol has conducted orientations, training, coordination meetings, courtesy calls, policy dialogues, and memorandum of agreement signings with stakeholders.

The agency said its benefits now extend beyond traditional inpatient and outpatient coverage to include YAKAP, GAMOT, outpatient emergency care, mental health services, severe acute malnutrition treatment, preventive oral health services, pediatric optometric services, rehabilitation and assistive devices, and other specialized packages.

PhilHealth has also reported increased case rates for hundreds of medical conditions and expanded hemodialysis, maternity, leptospirosis and Z-benefit packages. It has also lifted the single period of confinement and 45-day benefit limit.

Another measure is zero balance billing, which seeks to further reduce the financial burden on qualified patients.

PhilHealth said its Z Benefits provide support for life-threatening illnesses requiring prolonged hospitalization, costly therapies or treatments that could otherwise severely affect a family’s finances. (PNA)