Medical and Financial Assistance.
Section 9
SEC. 9. Medical and Financial Assistance. - The Malasakit Centers shall facilitate access to the following medical and financial assistance: (a) The DOH medical assistance to indigent patient. Medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients shall be based on need as recommended by the medical social worker and the attending physician; (b) The DSWD financial assistance, based on existing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) guidelines; (c) The PCSO medical assistance under its existing programs, chargeable against its funds; (d) Medical and financial assistance programs provided by other government agencies, LGUs, nongovernment organizations, and private institutions and individuals. Nothing in this Act shall limit access to or availability of medical and financial assistance only to indigent and financially incapacitated patients referred through Malasakit Centers. The medical social worker shall assess the patient's eligibility and provide such patient with complete information of the type, form or character and degree or extent of welfare assistance that the patient may receive or benefit from various funding sources at the Malasakit Centers. In cases of patients who are admitted in LGU and other public hospitals but who are otherwise eligible for medical and financial assistance under this Act, they may be extended such medical and financial assistance through the Malasakit Centers or through the government agencies concerned. In case of non-availability of clinically indicated drugs, medicines, tests, services or procedures in DOH hospital, the DOH hospital may enter into a contract with DOH-accredited private health facility to provide the needed drug, test, service or procedure to the patient, charged against the hospital, subject to the guidelines set by the DOH. In the implementation of this provision, the efficient and most streamlined delivery of assistance to all beneficiaries shall be the primary consideration. All rules, regulations, processes, and practices shall be formulated and implemented with the end in goal of achieving this purpose. Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a patient or his/her representative from accessing and requesting medical and financial assistance directly from the abovementioned agencies.