FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Membership
1. Who is 1COOPHealth?

Ans: 1COOPHealth is a cooperative HMO providing members access to medical services through accredited hospitals, clinics, and doctors.

2. How to be a member and have HMO card of 1COOPHealth?

Ans: You must be a member to any of our member Cooperative prior enrollment with us.

3. How can I determine if I’m already enrolled with 1COOPHealth?

Ans: You can contact your cooperative representative to obtain the policy number. The HMO card will be distributed by 1COOPHealth to your respective cooperative where you can claim your HMO card.

4. Will pre-existing conditions be covered within the first year of enrollment?

Ans: Normally during your first year of enrollment, pre-existing conditions are not covered. You can have a coverage for pre-existing illnesses after 12 months of continuous membership. Accounts with at least 100 initial enrollments are entitled to Pre-Existing Condition coverage in the first day of membership.

5. Can I make changes to my plan by either upgrading or downgrading it?

Ans: You have the option to upgrade or downgrade your plan upon renewal of your coverage.

6. Is it possible to cancel my enrollment and request a refund from my cooperative if I haven’t used any services?

Ans: You can cancel your membership and request a refund from your cooperative within the first six (6) months from effective date. A Pro-rated computation of refund is based on the unused months of your membership from the time of your cancellation. No refund will be made after 6 months of membership.

7. What are the renewal policies of 1COOPHealth?

Ans: You must renew your coverage within 90 days from expiration date. If you renew your policy beyond 90-day period, it will be reinstated. Upon reinstatement, a new policy number will be generated, and your application will be treated as a new enrollment. As a result, pre-existing illnesses will not be covered on the first 12 months of membership. However, the coverage for pre-existing conditions will be based on the Cooperative’s contract with 1COOPHealth.

8. What is the process for renewing my card in 1COOPHealth?

Ans: To renew your 1COOPHealth card, simply get in touch with your cooperative representative.

9. How can I check the expiration or validity date of my card?

Ans: Reach out to your cooperative representative for assistance. You may also register your policy number by downloading our 1COOPHealth application.

10. When will I receive my HMO card after I enroll in an HMO plan?

Ans: 1COOPHealth will release the HMO Card of new members 2-3 weeks after we receive the list of enrollments. We will provide a certificate of coverage and together with your valid ID and present to the clinic or hospital upon Availment in the absence of your HMO card.

11. What is the card replacement process if I lose my 1COOPHealth card?

Ans: Submit an accomplished ID Replacement Form and pay P250.00 for card replacement fee.

12. What do I need to avail of my 1COOPHealth benefits?

Ans: To avail of services, please present your 1COOPHealth HMO card or virtual card and a valid government-issued ID. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is also required for availment, subject to the applicable process.

Medical Concerns

PROVIDER

1. Can I go to any hospital or clinic?

Ans: Availment must be done at 1COOPHealth-accredited facilities, except in emergency cases.

(Ex: pregnancy related cases, take home medicines, personal items, diseases that are declared epidemic or pandemic by the Department of Health, World Health Organization or any recognized health authority)

2. Can you accredit my existing doctor?

Ans: We can invite your doctor for accreditation; however, acceptance of accreditation will depend on the doctor.

3. What should I do if I know a doctor who wants to be accredited by 1COOPHealth?

Ans: You may share the doctor’s contact information with us so our team can reach out and discuss the accreditation process and requirements.

A. Outpatient (OPD)

1. What outpatient services are covered?

Ans: Outpatient services may include doctor consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostics, and minor outpatient procedures. Coverage is subject to your plan’s benefits and limits.

2. How do I get an LOA for outpatient services?

Ans: LOA requests may be processed through the accredited clinic or hospital’s HMO desk or through 1COOPHealth-approved channels such as hotline numbers, mobile numbers, Messenger, or Viber. For Viber 09176296766, Email medical@chmf.coop

3. Is prior appointment required?

Ans: Appointments are recommended, especially for specialist consultations, to avoid delays.

4. Can I have a consultation with a non-accredited doctor?

Ans: You may consult a non-accredited doctor and file for reimbursement of the paid professional fee; however, only the HMO rate may be reimbursed.

5. Can I avail outpatient services requested by a non-accredited doctor?

Ans: Yes. Requested laboratory tests or procedures may be availed outright with a supporting diagnosis.

6. Is there a limit to outpatient availment?

Ans: Yes. Outpatient services are subject to your Maximum Benefit Limit (MBL) and benefit schedule.

7. Are all my diseases/illnesses covered in my HMO plan?

Ans: We are diagnosis-based in covering your availments. Just like other HMOs, 1COOPHealth has certain exclusions.

8. What if my illness/condition develops complications—will these illnesses have a separate Maximum Benefit Limit?

Ans: Any and all illnesses proven to be related to or is a complication of a certain illness shall share the same Maximum Benefit

9. How will I know if a diagnostic procedure requested by an affiliated doctor is covered by my healthcare program?

Ans: It is possible, provided that the patient will have to shoulder the corresponding Room and Board excess fees, incremental costs of laboratory and procedures done, and Professional Fees of 30%.

9. Why are some tests/procedures not covered by 1COOPHealth?

Ans: For inquiries on benefit coverage, you may call any of our Customer Care Hotlines or our Trunkline No. (02) 8-638-8628. Your medical details and needed procedure will be assessed if coverable (or otherwise) by your health plan.

10. Is it permissible to access services from accredited providers without presenting my physical card?

Ans: All the availments of our members are diagnosis- based and thoroughly evaluated by our medical team prior to giving approval. We follow the Clinical Practice Guidelines wherein we do a ladderized-type of approval. Example: If a member suffers from UTI, the initial test that needs to be done is urinalysis. If the doctor requested an ultrasound as an initial test, customer care people will advise you to have urinalysis first.

11. Is it necessary to provide an Identification Card (ID) during availment?

Ans: Yes, it is necessary to provide a Valid ID during availment for the coordinators/customer care to validate that the person availing is the one entitled for the said benefits.

12. Do I need to request an LOA from 1COOPHealth before going to an accredited hospital or clinic for consultation or admission?

Ans: You don’t need to request an LOA from 1COOPHealth before Availment unless it is APE. Accredited providers will coordinate with 1COOPHealth for the approval of Availment and issuance of LOA.

13. What is the basis for approval of laboratory tests and procedures?

Ans: Based on the Benefits coverage of the member. As an HMO, we follow what we term as Clinic Practice Guidelines (CPGs). CPGs serve as a guide to help decide which tests are necessary or not in the diagnosis of the patient or which should come first before proceeding to other related tests. Note: All Pre-existing conditions/illnesses are covered after 1 year or upon renewal of plan and/or as stipulated in your contract.

B. Inpatient (Hospitalization)

1. What are considered inpatient services?

Ans: Inpatient services include hospital confinement, room and board based on the member’s plan, accredited doctors’ professional fees, surgery, and in-hospital procedures.

2. How do I use my 1COOPHealth benefits for hospital admission?

Ans: Go to a 1COOPHealth-accredited hospital, present your HMO card and valid ID, and coordinate with the hospital’s HMO/Admitting section. The hospital will coordinate with 1COOPHealth upon admission and during discharge. Your LOA will be sent to the hospital once the member’s detailed statement of account is received.

3. What expenses are covered during confinement?

Ans: Coverage depends on your plan but may include room and board based on the member’s plan, professional fees of accredited physicians, and diagnostic and laboratory services.

4. What if my hospital bill exceeds my coverage?

Ans: Any amount beyond your approved benefit limits will be paid out-of-pocket by the member.

5. What if I want to upgrade my Room and Board entitlement during elective confinement?

Ans: It is possible, provided that the patient will have to shoulder the corresponding Room and Board excess fees, incremental costs of laboratory and procedures done, and Professional Fees of 30%.

6. Do I need to pay a down payment to the hospital before admission?

Ans: Patients don’t need to give any payment before admission as long as there is still remaining benefit limit on his account.

7. If all rooms under my room category are occupied, can I occupy any available room?

Ans:

In this case, you may choose one of the following options:

a. Occupy a lower room category and no incremental cost will be charged.

b. Occupy an available room one category higher than what is entitled and pay only the room and board excess. You must transfer to your designated room category within 24 hrs; otherwise, you will pay all incremental charges from the second day of confinement.

c. Or you may transfer to another accredited hospital if it is a non-emergency case.

C. Emergency

1. What is considered an emergency case?

Ans: A medical condition that requires immediate treatment to prevent serious harm, disability, or death (e.g., accidents, severe chest pain, or loss of consciousness).

2. Can I go to a non-accredited hospital during an emergency?

Ans: Yes. In emergencies, you may go to the nearest hospital, whether accredited or not. You may file reimbursement for emergency availment at a non-accredited provider.

3. Is an LOA required for emergency cases?

Ans: The hospital has an LOA process at the emergency department. The member must be attended to first before the hospital coordinates with 1COOPHealth for approval of availment.

4. What happens after emergency treatment in a non-accredited hospital?

Ans: Once stable, transfer to a 1COOPHealth-accredited hospital may be required, or the case may be processed under reimbursement, depending on the circumstances.

5. What is the process of availment if there is no HMO in-charge in the hospital?

Ans: All hospitals have an HMO Department. However, we also have coordinators in some hospitals where members may get their LOAs.

D. Annual Physical Examination (APE)

1. How do I avail of my Annual Physical Examination benefit?

Ans: All 1COOPHealth enrollees are entitled to an APE after full payment of annual fee. A request for an APE schedule is needed 5 days prior to actual Availment. The request for APE should be coursed thru the mother cooperative for proper endorsement to 1COOPHealth. This can be done thru email at annualpe@chmf.coop

Claims
1. Can I reimburse my availment in an accredited clinic or hospital?

Ans: Consultations with a medical specialist may be reimbursed based on the HMO rate. As a standard practice, outpatient laboratory tests and procedures are not reimbursable because these should be covered outright. For reconsideration, an explanation letter is required for outpatient availment at an accredited provider and will be evaluated by the Claims team.

2. When can I file a reimbursement claim with 1COOPHealth?

Ans: Reimbursement may apply if services were paid out-of-pocket during an emergency at a non-accredited provider, or if a 1COOPHealth-accredited hospital or clinic is far from the member’s point of origin.

3. What documents are required for reimbursement?

Ans: Typical requirements include a duly accomplished reimbursement claim form, original official receipts, an itemized billing statement, and a medical abstract or doctor’s report.

4. How long does reimbursement processing take?

Ans: Processing usually takes within 30 days, subject to document completeness and evaluation.

5. Will I be reimbursed the full amount?

Ans: Reimbursement is subject to 1COOPHealth-approved rates, your plan’s benefit limits, medical review, and eligibility.

6. How will reimbursement be released?

Ans: Reimbursement may be released via check or bank transfer.

7. What are the necessary documents to reimburse an emergency availment at a non-affiliated hospital?

Ans: Typical reimbursement requirements include a duly accomplished reimbursement claim form, original official receipts, an itemized billing statement, and a medical abstract or doctor’s report. Additional documents may be requested during evaluation.

8. What are the required documents for HIB reimbursement and other claims?

Ans: There are forms provided for each claim such as medical reimbursement, death claim, and HIB benefit. Appropriate requirements are stated in each form. It is important that all the necessary information is accomplished to process your claim and all the documents required are submitted.

9. Can I receive my reimbursement at the branch where I am enrolled/member?

Ans: Yes. If you do not provide your bank details on the claim form, your reimbursement will be sent to your cooperative, where you can claim it. For faster processing and direct reimbursement, we recommend including your bank details in your claim form.

10. If I avail of a non-accredited hospital for confinement, laboratory tests, or outpatient consultation, can I be reimbursed?

Ans:

Members may only avail from accredited doctors at accredited hospital and clinics. However, if there is no accredited provider in the area, a member may reimburse for his/her availment subject to the reimbursement provisions.

  1. Reimbursement up to 80% of hospital bills and 100% Reimbursable up to limit based on RUV HMO rate for all availments done in non-accredited providers for areas WITH NO ACCREDITED PROVIDERS.
  2. 100% Reimbursable up to limit based on RUV HMO rate for emergency cases (Subject for evaluation).

c. NO Reimbursement will be made for availment done in an accredited provider except for emergency cases (subject for evaluation).

11. What happens if I fail to file my PhilHealth Benefit Claim Form upon discharge?

Ans: If you fail to submit your PhilHealth Benefit Claim Form upon discharge, 1COOPHealth will cover the PhilHealth portion of the hospital bill. However, any amount exceeding your health card benefit limit will be shouldered by the health card holder.

   Note: All Pre-existing conditions/illnesses are covered after 1 year of contestability period or upon renewal of plan and/or as stipulated in your contract.