President Benigno S. Aquino III and his four sisters, visit the graves of their parents on Wednesday,October 30, 2013, two days before the traditional All Saints’ Day commemoration on November 1. The President and his sisters Viel Dee, Pinky Abellada, Kris Aquino and Ballsy Cruz attend a Holy Mass at the Manila Memorial Park (MMP) in Parañaque City, where their parents, former President Corazon Aquino and martyred opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., are buried. Also in photo are, Joseph Dee and Kris’ two sons, Joshua and Bimby. (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III led the launching of PhilHealth’s benefit package for persons with disabilities particularly those with lost or deficient limbs in a ceremony at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang Palace, Thursday.
In his speech, the President commended the PhilHealth for its newly-launched Z-MORPH (Z Benefits Rate for Mobility, Orthosis, Rehabilitation, Prosthesis Help) benefit package that aims to provide assistance such as prosthetic legs and other health care services for individuals without lower limbs.
“Nalulugod din po tayong ipakilala ang Z-MORPH Prosthesis Benefit Package – ang kauna-unahang PhilHealth benefit package na nakatuon para sa mga kababayan nating kabilang sa sektor ng Persons with Disabilities (PWDs),” the President said in his speech.
The Z-MORPH benefit package covers initial fitting of external lower limb prosthesis at a package rate of P15,000 per limb or P30,000 for both limbs for the entire pre and post-prosthetic management of either the foot, symes and ankle or below knee levels of amputation.
The PhilHealth launched its historic Z Benefits Packages on June 21, 2012, to provide assistance to members with illnesses like prostate cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, kidney transplant, coronary artery bypass, total correction of Tetralogy of Fallot and closure of ventricular septal defect.
President Aquino also lauded PhilHealth’s complete shift from traditional Fee-for-Service (FFS) to case-based payment system for all compensable medical and surgical cases.
“Dahil mas mabilis at mas tiyak nang malalaman ng mga miyembro ang sasaguting gastusin ng PhilHealth, maiiwasan na ang posibilidad ng sobrang singil sa mga pasyente, at masusulit ang kanilang benepisyong-medikal,” President Aquino said.
The case-based payment system is accepted internationally and will now pay a pre-determined amount for all compensable treatments and procedures. It enables members to immediately know how much they are entitled to in terms of benefits for a specific disease whether in government or private hospitals.
Also present during the event were Health Secretary Enrique Ona, PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander Padilla. (MNS)