1. CD4 test is not free for new patients
2. Succeeding CD4 tests will be charged to returning patients
3. A few patients said that they were charged for CD4 before.
Because of this, I called Dr. Ditangco, the head of RITM-ARG and she said that ALL patients, both new and returning, are given FREE CD4 testing and lab tests (except lab tests for specific OI's and viral load test) in RITM-ARG. She said that they have maximized their PhilHealth funds and they have free CD4 test reagents so they have the capacity to give FREE CD4 tests. She told me that the patients who are charged for CD4 testing and not given FREE CD4 are only those who are:
1. NOT patients of RITM-ARG
2. NOT patients of RITM- Satellite Clinic
3. NOT patients of RITM-ARG-supervised social hygiene clinics.
4. Patients who don't pass through RITM-ARG and who go directly to the laboratory of the RITM main hospital without any referral from RITM-ARG.
I also called Ate Beth of RITM-ARG and she said that they started giving FREE CD4 test last June 2012. This means that those who got their CD4 earlier than June 2012, really paid for their CD4 test.
So to be clear, to avail of the FREE CD4 Test in RITM-ARG:
1. You need to be a patient (both new and returning) of
a. RITM-ARG in Alabang
b. RITM-Satellite Clinic in Malate, Manila
c. any RITM-ARG-Supervised social hygiene clinics
2. Do not go directly to the laboratory of RITM Main Hospital as you will be considered not a patient of RITM-ARG since you don't have a referral from RITM-ARG.
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines