The University of the Philippines (UP) has further enhanced its program for financial assistance for the hospitalization of its employees—faculty members, REPS, and administrative staff—with the approval of the amendments on the amount of eHOPE Benefits and covered hospitalization expenses (professional fees allocation), plus an expanded coverage of eligible employees.
The amendments on the policy were approved by the UP Board of Regents (BOR) in its 1380th meeting in Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, on 27 April 2023. Under the program, UP now allows eligible employees across all its constituent universities (CUs)/units to avail of up to P100,000 per year as financial assistance for hospitalization expenses incurred during confinement—hence, an additional P20,000 to the previous limit of P80,000 accumulated maximum amount per year.
Furthermore, the coverage of UP Contractuals has been expanded to include even those whose salaries are charged against fund sources other than the General Appropriations Act (GAA). As such, UP Contractuals (faculty, REPS, and administrative staff) who have rendered at least one year of continuous service to the University, have employer-employee relations with the University, and whose salaries are charged against the Revolving Fund/Trust Fund—are now also eligible for the eHOPE. Their eHOPE benefit shall be charged against the same funding source (RF/TF), but subject to availability of funds.
The allocation for professional fees (PF) of PhilHealth-accredited physicians and specialists has also been increased. A maximum of twice the amount on the Relative Value Unit (RVU) set by the PhilHealth for specific medical cases can now be covered under eHOPE.
The eHOPE, an enhancement of the Financial Assistance Program for Hospitalization Expenses (FAPHE), took effect starting 1 January 2017 under then-UP President Alfredo E. Pascual. Enhancements on eHOPE were proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on eHOPE Implementation, constituted by physicians/officials from UP Manila and UP-PGH and representatives from the two (2) employee unions. Last April 25, Vice President for Administration Nestor G. Yunque, through Vice President for Planning and Finance Iryn Y. Balmores, endorsed the proposals to President Angelo A. Jimenez, who then endorsed the amendments for the BOR’s approval.
