Privileges Granted to Persons with Disability
- PWDs are entitled to at least 20% discount on:
- Purchase of medicines at all drugstores.
- Medical and dental services, including diagnostic and laboratory fees, in both government and private health facilities.
- Professional fees of attending doctors in private medical facilities.
- Express lanes or priority service should be provided to PWDs in all establishments.
- Assigned personnel should assist PWDs in government and private establishments.
Objectives
- To prescribe procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the 20% discount in all health-related services for PWDs.
Coverage and Scope
- Applies to all government and private hospitals, health-related facilities, health care professionals, PhilHealth, pharmacies, and establishments dispensing medicines.
Definitions
- Detailed definitions include key terms such as:
- Assistive Devices: aids like wheelchairs, hearing aides, etc.
- Chronic Illness: long-lasting health conditions affecting quality of life.
- Communication Disability: encompasses speech, language, and hearing impairments.
- Disability: the interaction of impairments with societal barriers hindering full participation.
- Health Care Professional: licensed practitioners including physicians, dentists, nurses.
- Medical and Dental Services: services necessary for diagnosis, treatment, including therapies.
- Persons with Disability: individuals with long-term impairments interacting with barriers.
- Visual Disability: defined levels of visual impairment, including legal blindness.
- Other important definitions cover government/private hospitals, medicines, diagnostic tests, and more.
Policy Statement
- PWDs in government service wards receive 20% discount on medical, dental, rehabilitation services, diagnostic and laboratory fees, and psychological tests, based on clinical guidelines.
- Discounts apply also to pay wards in government health facilities and all private health facilities.
- Services not medically necessary (e.g., cosmetic surgery, executive check-ups) are excluded from discounts.
- Discounts apply to both branded and unbranded generic medicines.
- PhilHealth coverage applies to PWDs, with LGU sponsorship and guidelines for reimbursement.
Implementing Rules and Procedures
- Government Health Facilities:
- Free or discounted hospital beds based on classification and medical necessity.
- 20% discount on medically necessary lab and diagnostic tests following clinical protocols.
- Dental services deemed medically necessary are free or discounted.
- Rehabilitation services and assistive devices are discounted.
- PhilHealth benefits are coordinated with discounts for PWD members.
- Private Health Facilities:
- 20% discount on hospital beds, laboratory and diagnostic services, dental services, rehabilitation, and professional fees.
- Discount applies to both inpatient and outpatient care.
- PhilHealth benefits similarly coordinated.
- Discount on medicines:
- Applies to all establishments dispensing medicines exclusively for PWDs.
- Requires presentation of valid PWD ID, doctor’s prescription with detailed information, and a purchase booklet.
- Medicine dispensing should not exceed one-month supply per prescription.
- Discount is non-transferable and exclusive to PWDs.
Responsibilities of Stakeholders
- Government Facilities:
- Must post rates and discounts publicly and issue official receipts reflecting discounts.
- No income means tests required for free services for PWDs.
- Private Hospitals and Medical Facilities:
- Required to post rates, provide official receipts, establish grievance mechanisms, and inform PWDs of sanctions for non-compliance.
- Health Care Professionals:
- Must include name and PRC number on requests and prescriptions.
- Ensure prescriptions are exclusive to PWDs.
- Inform PWDs of usual and discounted fees.
- Issue official receipts showing discounts.
- Drugstores:
- Must provide generic medicine menus and official receipts showing discounted prices.
- Must create special lanes for PWDs.
- Rehabilitation Centers and Behavioral Testing Centers:
- Required to provide quality, compassionate care and accurate assessments.
- Hospices and Palliative Care Centers:
- Provide holistic care addressing physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Penalties and Sanctions
- Individuals violating guidelines face:
- First offense: fines between P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment 6 months to 2 years.
- Subsequent offenses: fines between P100,000 to P200,000 and imprisonment 2 to 6 years.
- Abuse of privileges results in fines from P5,000 to P50,000 and imprisonment.
- Foreign offenders face immediate deportation after serving sentence.
- Corporations found violating provisions:
- Responsible officials are liable.
- Possible cancellation or revocation of permits and licenses.
Funding
- Initial funding from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for government hospitals.
- From 2010, funding responsibility shifts to National Government Agencies or LGUs.
- Government Owned and Controlled Corporations charge discounts to Quantified Free Service.
- Private facilities fund discounts through allowable tax deductions subject to documentation and tax laws.
Repealing Clause
- Previous inconsistent issuances are rescinded or modified to align with this Order.
Effectivity
- The Order takes immediate effect upon publication in two national newspapers.