Imelda Samson wrote to the Inquirer to ask FortuneCare, a health medical organization (HMO), on behalf of clients like her, what would happen to their insurance coverage if reports were true that the company would close.

Samson sent a copy of a FortuneCare letter, signed by its management, informing clients of the nonrenewal of their membership for one contract year, as the company was “conducting (a) study across all of our healthcare programs for enhancement to provide you with quality care and service you deserve.”

Samson said that her family have been FortuneCare members since 1998. “This year, when we were about to renew our membership, I was informed by a friend that FortuneCare was closing.”

She complained that members, who had been with the company since it started, were not given prior notice of this development.

Samson pointed out that it was hard to seek medical care without health insurance.

I passed on Samson’s letter to FortuneCare and received a copy of its press statement:

Dr. Alfonso R. Sahagun Sr., president, said the company was continuing its operations but “is reorganizing and downsizing… to meet problems being encountered by members.”

Sahagun noted that a new management team had identified the source of the problems and was working on solutions.

J. Wilfredo A. Cabangon, board chair, said the company “will remain in operation and continue to provide quality health care to Filipinos.”

Sahagun said it was found that there were “lapses in administrative and support operations (that) resulted in a failure to limit usage of health care services by members based on the cost of their plan coverage. There was a failure to observe the proper limits on availments of health care services…”

He said the problem is now being addressed. But, as part of its downsizing, FortuneCare was “temporarily stopping the renewal of membership pending the implementation of corrective measures. As soon as the problems are solved, FortuneCare will again be accepting new accounts,” Sahagun said.

New P2P route

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has entered into a new partnership with UBE Express, Inc., a premium shuttle service that brings passengers from Naia Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to hotels and malls in Makati and Manila.

Robinsons Place Manila is one of the stops of the shuttle service that operates daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Fare is P300 per passenger.

RLC also operates P2P bus services between Ortigas Center and Fairview in Quezon City to the Makati commercial hub. Fare is P100 one-way between Fairview and Makati, and P30 between Ortigas and Makati. Seniors, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and students get the 20-percent discount mandated by law.

Darwin S. Renolayan, regional operations manager for Robinsons Galleria, said buses’ schedules are fixed for the convenience of commuters.

Roseann Villegas, RLC director for public relations, said the service is part of the company’s goal to provide additional service to its clients and the communities that host its malls. She noted that the service primarily targets families, call center agents, senior citizens and PWDs, professionals and white-collar workers, and students.

‘Lola’ is at it again

That lola, who cannot type her apo’s mobile phone number right and “sends” prepaid load to wrong numbers, is active again. I hope people know better this time.

First, you get a message that you are receiving P300 worth of phone load. A few minutes later, another message tells you lola is actually sending the “load” to her apo, so can you please pass it on to the right number?

Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail [email protected].