PhilHealth YAKAP: How Cebuanos can get P20K in free medicines

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuanos can now access up to P20,000 worth of free outpatient medicines each year through PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program, but members must first register with an accredited YAKAP clinic before they can claim the benefit.

The Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) benefit covers prescribed medicines for common acute and chronic conditions and allows each PhilHealth member and every declared legal dependent to receive up to P20,000 worth of covered medicines annually.

Here’s what PhilHealth members in Cebu need to know about the program, including how to register and where to access the benefit.

What is YAKAP?

YAKAP serves as PhilHealth’s enhanced primary care package, providing members and their declared dependents with outpatient healthcare services.

The package includes:

  • medical consultations and health risk assessments;
  • selected laboratory and diagnostic tests;
  • preventive and cancer screening services;
  • health education and counseling; and
  • access to the GAMOT medicine benefit.

PhilHealth said the program aims to strengthen preventive care, promote early detection, and support continuous management of chronic conditions.

What is GAMOT?

GAMOT provides free medicines listed among 75 essential drugs for common acute and chronic illnesses.

Covered conditions include:

  • hypertension;
  • diabetes;
  • dyslipidemia;
  • infections;
  • selected cardiovascular diseases;
  • selected neurologic diseases; and
  • asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

The benefit covers up to P20,000 per member or declared legal dependent per year.

The P20,000 does not function as a one-time cash allowance. Members must obtain prescriptions from accredited YAKAP physicians and return for follow-up consultations so doctors can monitor their conditions and adjust treatment when necessary.

How can PhilHealth members avail themselves of the GAMOT program?

PhilHealth members must complete the following steps:

  • Register with an accredited YAKAP clinic.

Members must first enroll with a PhilHealth-accredited YAKAP provider.

  • Undergo consultation.

A YAKAP physician will assess the member’s health condition and determine whether medication forms part of the treatment plan.

  • Get a prescription.

The physician must prescribe medicines covered by the GAMOT benefit.

  • Go to an accredited GAMOT provider.

The member must present the prescription and required identification documents to an accredited GAMOT dispensing facility.

  • Return for follow-up care.

Members must continue their consultations to ensure proper monitoring and management of their condition.

Where can Cebuanos get GAMOT medicines?

PhilHealth lists 64 accredited GAMOT providers across Central Visayas — 54 in Cebu, five in Bohol, and five in Negros Oriental.

For Cebu members, the following facilities and pharmacies appear on the regional list:

Cebu City

  • Aim Pharmacy – Barangay San Nicolas
  • Chong Hua Health Services Inc. – Chong Hua Medical Mall
  • Chong Hua Hospital
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Bacayan
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Luz
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Mambaling
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Inayawan
  • Healthway Medical – Ayala Center Cebu
  • La Nueva Pharmacy – M.C. Briones Street
  • Medisentials Pharmacy – Brgy. Labangon
  • Paglaom Drugstore – Brgy. Capitol Site
  • Pharmacy Service Unit, Cebu City Health Department – Brgy. Carreta
  • Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital – Brgy. Basak San Nicolas
  • Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center – B. Rodriguez Street

Lapu-Lapu City

  • Allegiant Regional Care Hospital – Brgy. Agus
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Buaya
  • Opon Medical Diagnostic Corporation – Brgy. Basak

Mandaue City

  • Chong Hua Hospital Mandaue – Brgy. Subangdaku
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Centro
  • The Hospital at Maayo – Brgy. Alang-Alang
  • University of Cebu Medical Center Inc. – Brgy. Guizo

READ: PhilHealth, Yakap, Gamot programs to expand in 2027, says Marcos

Other Cebu locations

  • A1 Child Pharmacy – Baracca, Carcar
  • Badian District Hospital – Badian
  • Badian Primary Health Care Facility Pharmacy – Badian
  • Bantayan District Hospital – Brgy. Ticad, Bantayan
  • Barili District Hospital – Brgy. Maghanoy, Barili
  • Botika ng Bayan Consolacion – Municipal Health Office, Consolacion
  • Cebu Provincial Hospital – Balamban
  • Cebu Provincial Hospital – Bogo
  • Cebu Provincial Hospital – Carcar
  • Cebu Provincial Hospital – Danao
  • Cebu South Medical Hospital – Talisay City
  • Daanbantayan District Hospital – Brgy. Pajo, Daanbantayan
  • Dr. Jose Ma. V. Borromeo Memorial Hospital – Pinamungajan
  • Dr. K Pharma and Medical Supplies Trading – Brgy. Cogon, Bogo City
  • Dr. K Pharma and Medical Supplies Trading – Brgy. Taytayan, Bogo City
  • Dr. K Pharma and Medical Supplies Trading – Brgy. Damolog, Sogod
  • Dr. K Pharma and Medical Supplies Trading – Brgy. Pajo, Daanbantayan
  • Generika Drugstore – Barili
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Poblacion, Cordova
  • Generika Drugstore – Gaisano Grand Mall, Carcar City
  • Generika Drugstore – Brgy. Northern Poblacion, San Francisco
  • Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital – Brgy. Bogo, Argao
  • JD Pharmacy – Brgy. Tangasan, Carcar City
  • Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital – Brgy. Damolog, Sogod
  • Mariano Jesus Cuenco Memorial Hospital – Brgy. Sangi Calajo-an, Montañeza, Malabuyoc
  • Minglanilla District Hospital – Sangi, Brgy. Calajo-an, Minglanilla
  • Oslob District Hospital – Brgy. Lagunde, Oslob
  • Pulyn Pharma – Brgy. Bolinawan, Carcar City
  • Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital – Brgy. Northern Poblacion, San Francisco
  • San Lucas Medical – Brgy. Poblacion Ward 1, Minglanilla
  • St. Gregory Pharmacy – Brgy. Poblacion, Daanbantayan
  • Tuburan District Hospital – Brgy. 7, Veloso, Tuburan

What should PhilHealth members remember?

The P20,000 benefit does not mean members can simply walk into a participating pharmacy and claim P20,000 worth of medicine.

The process starts with YAKAP registration and consultation. A YAKAP physician must assess the member and issue the prescription before an accredited GAMOT provider can dispense covered medicines.

The benefit also applies to declared legal dependents, subject to PhilHealth’s eligibility and program requirements.

PhilHealth has said the GAMOT rollout aims to reduce out-of-pocket medicine costs and help patients maintain treatment for chronic conditions.

Central Visayas currently has 240 accredited YAKAP clinics, of which 64 are also accredited as GAMOT providers.

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