Through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Filipinos who are hospitalized or are receiving medical treatment may apply for the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).
Contrary to popular misconception, being an indigent patient isn’t a requirement to apply for this assistance. Furthermore, you do not need to know any government official at all. According to the official website, all Filipino who request for assistance, either personally or through a representative, on a health-related concern, including:
• Those confined in any health facility;
• Those receiving health care management as outpatients; and
• Those seeking management in foreign countries, provided that no health facility within the Philippines is capable of providing such procedure.
Health services included in the coverage can range from confinement, dialysis, medicines, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and many others. Basically, the requirement documents for a PCSO medical assistance are:
1. Duly-accomplished PCSO IMAP Application Form. You can ask for a copy at the hospital if they have a PCSO desk. Otherwise, you should visit the nearest PCSO office.
2. Original/Certified True Copy of the Updated Clinical Abstract duly signed by the physician with License Number. For those requesting for a free wheelchair, they only need to submit medical certification.
3. Valid government-issued ID of patient and representative such as passport, UMID, driver’s license, GSIS eCard, senior citizen’s ID, DSWD 4P’s ID, voter’s ID, postal ID, or PRC ID. Company IDs and school IDs are also accepted.
Additionally, an authorization letter would also be necessary if no immediate relative is available for an interview.
If you need more information, you can visit the PCSO head office at Sun Plaza Building, 1507 Princeton Street corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City 1552.
You may also get in touch with the Charity Assistance Department via (02) 426-3735 or (02) 921-7608. Otherwise, you may call the Medical Services Department at (02) 441-2612, (02) 441-2076, (02) 441-2065, or (02) 441-2081.