Mindanaotoday.com | PhilHealth updates members via SMS blast
By: Theresa Arlene Gambe
CAGAYAN DE ORO – In celebration of the national health insurance month, PhilHealth-10 launched the “PRO-10 short messaging services blast” (SMS BLAST), February 1, as a kickoff activity for the agency’s 28th founding anniversary.
The SMS BLAST is a program for the PhilHealth members of the region to be up to date with advisories and promotional benefits of the agency.
The program includes five services: the Benefit Payment Notice (BPN), reminders for payment deadlines to avoid penalties and arrears, external advisories and promotional benefits, anti-fraud awareness, and a notice of approval on accredited health care providers where members can use their PhilHealth subscription.
“Our members will be assured that the messages they receive are official because the sender will not include a number. Instead, the sender ID will reflect PhilHealth-10,” said Anshari Mangondato, Head of PhilHealth-10 Planning and Research Office, during the Lambo Dyes radio program, February 3.
At the same radio program, Merlyn Ybañez, head of PhilHealth 10’s Public Affairs Office, tackled concerns about data privacy and fraud, encouraging members to update the cellular numbers they inputted in their PhilHealth profiles.
“Our local health insurance office in Cagayan de Oro supports the city with weekend caravans where people can update their records, give their ID. In fact, that strategy is being adopted by other local health insurance offices that go barangay hopping for updating,” Said Ybañez.
She further explained that in the unlikely occurrence that members will be notified of availing their PhilHealth benefits without being admitted to the hospital, members may reach out to the PhilHealth-10 office.
The agency’s legal office is in partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the case if such an event may arise.
Currently, members may not respond to messages from the SMS Blast. Unsubscription from the program is not currently available. Therefore, members may reach PhilHealth through their hotlines or actual office. (TAAG | PIA-10)
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