Free hospitalization at Heart Center for Makati residents

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Makati City as well as local and national government employees assigned in the city can now avail of subsidized medical care and hospitalization at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) after the city government entered into an agreement with the PHC on April 17.

With the memorandum of agreement signed by Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay and PHC Medical Director Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco, beneficiaries of the Makati Health Plus Program (Yellow Card) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can now access specialized medical care at the PHC when their condition warrants services beyond the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of the city-run Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).

Binay said under the agreement, the city government will pay the corresponding fees charged by the PHC for every patient referred through a Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by him and the OsMak Medical Director, after the latter has determined the patient’s need for PHC’s services.

“We are glad that we have firmed up this agreement with PHC and we are thankful to its management, led by Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco, Medical Director, for their cooperation and support to our goal of ‘seamless health care delivery’ for the people of Makati,” Binay said.

Binay said the move was in line with ongoing efforts of the city government to expand its health program to include specialized health care among the benefits available to city residents, elected city and barangay officials and their immediate family members, city employees and
Makati-based national government workers.

“Partnerships with key medical institutions, such as Philippine Heart Center and Makati Medical Center, enable our constituents and stakeholders to enjoy the optimum benefits of universal health insurance,” Binay said.

Under the agreement that took effect for one year starting last April 17, a patient who is assessed by a Cardiac Specialist at the OsMak to be in need of medical care at the PHC, will then be endorsed to the PHC.

In cases of emergency, a provisional LOA signed by OsMak’s Medical Director or Assistants to the Medical Director may be used to facilitate the transfer of patients to PHC.  However, the duly signed LOA must be secured and presented to PHC within three working days from the date of admission.

The agreement may also cover the rendition of outpatient services at PHC, provided that a duly signed LOA is submitted to PHC Medical Social Service.

Whenever applicable, the city government will have the option to upgrade or avail of the PhilHealth Z benefit package, which covers coronary artery bypass graft surgery among other procedures for “catastrophic illnesses”.

Aside from legitimate residents of the city who are cardholders or beneficiaries of the Makati Health Plus Program, categories I to IV, also covered by the agreement are all city government employees regardless of employment status and their immediate family members, namely, spouse, minor children, and parents of the employee.

National government employees, such as Makati City policemen, firemen, teachers, judges, and prosecutors, during their assignment to the city are also among its beneficiaries, along with all elected city and barangay officials and their immediate family members.