PhilHealth deploys CARES

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 10, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  No less than 24 nurses who were trained to become Customer assistance, Relations and Empowerment Staff (CARES) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) were finally deployed to accredited hospitals in Eastern Visayas.

Ms. Luz Santiago, PhilHealth Tacloban’s focal person for CARES, informed the Philippine Information Agency that the 24 nurses underwent a a two-week intensive training on various aspects of the PhilHealth operations and to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their duties well. The trainings were conducted simultaneously in all regions nationwide from April 16-27, 2012.

Twelve CARES were deployed in the PhilHealth accredited facilities in the province of Leyte, Ms. Santiago disclosed. The Health facilities where one CARES each has been deployed, are Manuel Veloso Memorial Hospital in Palompon; Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban; Ormoc District Hospital; RTR Hospital; Abuyog District Hospital; Burauen District Hospital; Mother of Mercy Hospital; Leyte Provincial Hospital; Divine Word Hospital; and Bethany Hospital.

In Northern Samar, six CARES have been deployed while three CARES were deployed in Eastern Samar province. One CARES each has been sent to Samar, Biliran and Southern Leyte provinces.

The CARES will be at their posts Mondays to Fridays, from 9:00 o’clock in the morning to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. On Saturdays, the CARES will be at their posts from 9:00 o’clock in the morning to 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

PhilHealth’s move was designed to provide PhilHealth members with essential information about their benefits at the point-of-service.

PhilHealth initially sent 530 registered nurses nationwide to set up post at selected accredited facilities to provide customer assistance to the members and ensure that they are able to avail of their benefits outright.

The nurses were carefully screened from among 23,000 online applicants and were extensively oriented and trained on current PhilHealth policies and guidelines, benefits, membership procedures, accreditation requirements and other basic information that members and accredited providers might need.