PhilHealth-6 urges members to avail of ‘KonSulTA’ program

By John Noel E. Herrera

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)-6 encourages its member to register and avail the KonSulTa (Konsultang Sulit at Tama) program to help them with their medical needs.

“Sige amon kampanya para ma-register ang mga tao, for them to avail the benefit backages of the program and help them with their health and medical needs kay ang iba natamad na magpacheck-up because mahal, and they didn’t know we have this program to help them,” PhilHealth-6 Public Affairs Unit head Janimhe C. Jalbuna said during their media forum on Frida, Dec 9, 2022.

PhilHealth-6 added that while the number of health providers accredited for the program to cater to the medical needs of members in the region is already at 99 percent in 2022, there are only a few members who have registered for the program so far.

PhilHealth-6 Medical Specialist III Dr. Amalia J. Fernandez explained that the KonSulTa program is an expanded primary care benefit of the health insurance agency to provide comprehensive outpatient benefits to all Filipinos as mandated by the Universal Health Care Law (RA 11223).

Fernandez added that it covers individual-based and outpatient health services such as initial and follow-up primary care consultations, health screenings and assessments and access to selected diagnostic services, and medicines.

Some of the diagnostic services include CBC with Platelet Count, Urinalysis, Fecalysis, Septum Microscopy, Fecal Occult Blood, Pap Smear, Lipid Profile, Fasting Blood Sugar, ECG, Chest X-ray, Creatinine, and HBA 1C Test; while medicines include those that are for anti-microbial, anti-asthma, fluid and electrolytes, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, antipyreptics, and antihistamine.

PhilHealth-6 also said that the package for the program includes P500 per capita for accredited public facilities without co-payment, while P750 per capita for private facilities with P500 co-payment.

To avail of the program, a member must register with an accredited KonSulTa provider; fill out the PhilHealth KonSulTa registration form; generate the confirmation receipt with code or the Authorization Transaction Code (ATC); give the ATC to the PhilHealth KonSulTa facility to conduct primary care consultation, and submit the accomplished Electronic Konsulta Availment Slip (eKAS) to the PhilHealth KonSulTa facility.

PhilHealth-6 added that they also encouraged other private hospitals and medical providers in Iloilo to become accredited Konsulta providers, as there are 24 accredited health providers for the program in Iloilo City and the province so far, including some rural health units and public hospitals.

PhilHealth-6 also noted that there will be a 4.5 percent increase in its 2023 premium contribution rate as part of the gradual adjustment under the Universal Health Care law.