Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro- Residents of Oriental Mindoro can now look forward to easier and more affordable access to medicines as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) expands its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
According to Ma. Neresa C. Reganit, Chief Insurance Officer of PhilHealth Oriental Mindoro, YAKAP—previously known as KonSulTa (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama)—was designed to connect medical consultations directly to access to prescription medicines.
How YAKAP Works
Under the program, registered PhilHealth members may receive up to ₱20,000 worth of medicines every year, called the Annual Benefit Limit (ABL). Each time a member gets a prescription, the cost of the medicines will be deducted from the annual limit. The best part: there are no out-of-pocket expenses as long as the medicines are included in the official GAMOT (Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) List and are purchased through PhilHealth-accredited pharmacies.
However, Reganit clarified that once a member has fully used up the ₱20,000 limit for the year, succeeding prescriptions must be paid out of pocket. A fresh ABL will be available again the following year.
Important Reminders for Members
To access the benefit, members must:
- Register with their chosen YAKAP clinic – patients are free to select any accredited YAKAP clinic that is most convenient for them.
- Visit the YAKAP clinic for consultation – only doctors from these clinics can issue prescriptions covered under YAKAP.
- Bring the prescription to accredited pharmacies – only pharmacies approved by PhilHealth are authorized to dispense free medicines under the program.
“Members cannot simply walk into a drugstore and expect free medicine,” Reganit explained. “They must first be seen by a doctor in a YAKAP clinic, and only accredited pharmacies can honor the prescription.”
Expanding Access in Oriental Mindoro
PhilHealth is currently finalizing the accreditation of local pharmacies in Oriental Mindoro. Once the list is complete and approved, it will be officially announced so members know exactly where they can avail of their benefits.
In the meantime, residents can register for the program through:
- The eGovPH app
- The PhilHealth Member Portal
- Local PhilHealth offices
- Or directly at their chosen YAKAP clinic
Why YAKAP Matters
PhilHealth’s YAKAP program aims to make healthcare more affordable, accessible, and holistic by ensuring that consultations are directly linked to treatment. Beyond consultations, it helps patients—especially those managing chronic illnesses—reduce the financial burden of purchasing medicines.
With this initiative, PhilHealth continues to strengthen its commitment to universal health care, providing Filipinos not just with medical advice but with the medicines they need to recover and live healthier lives.