The Quezon City government on Monday, June 6, held a meeting with seven hospitals in the city regarding the implementation of the Medical Assistance Program that will help indigent residents to pay for their hospital bills.
The city partnered with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and National Chilren’s Hospital for the program.
Under the program, the city will provide financial assistance, with a minimum amount of P5,000, to the beneficiaries for their hospital bills for medicines, laboratories, and others, which is based on the recommendation of the doctor who are in-charge of the patient.
According to the local government, the program will start by next week and residents can visit the nearest District Action Office in their areas to apply for the assistance.
Those confined in the hospitals or in-patients are required to present their “QCitizen identification cards (IDs)” or a barangay indigency, the statement of account or billing statement from their hospitals, and a medical abstract.
Representatives of the said patients must present their QCitizen IDs and an authorization letter from the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile for out-patients or those who recieve treatment without being admitted in hospitals, they must also present their QCitizen IDs, a price quotation, and a medical certificate.
The local government said that the applications will undergo assessment done by the Social Services Development Department (SSDD)
It added that once the patient’s application is approved, the SSDD will issue a guarantee letter along with other pertinent documents.
The memorandum of agreement for the program was signed by Mayor Joy Belmonte and the directors of the partner hospitals last March 14.