By Noy Adaram
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced the launch of new and improved benefit packages.
Through PhilHealth Regional Vice President (RVP) for Northern Mindanao (NorthMin) Delio Aseron II, announced are the 144% hemodialysis coverage increase amounting to P6,350 for 156 sessions annually; enhancements to the Konsulta Benefit as well as adding the categories of Outpatient Anti-Tuberculosis, Malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and animla bites in the package; 194% increase for the coverage of severe cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever; adjustments in the rate of COVID-19 inpatient benefits for both adults and children; additional 44% to 249% (P865,000 to P2,093,000) for covering the Z benefit package of kidney transplantation from pre-transplant until post-operative care; providing a P523,853 coverage for patients of ischemic heart disease with acute myocardial infarction from P21,900; recommending as a first-line treatment the peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease; and expanding the amount being granted for cataract extraction by P20,200 to P187,100 per eye from the previous P16.000.
Five new benefits were also presented which are the Outpatient Emergency Care for those needing immediate medical attention but not requiring more than a day of confinement; Preventive Oral Health Services that is integrated into the Konsulta Program from examinations, cleaning, fluoride varnish until sealants/or root service protection; Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Assistive Devices for the provision of services as well as apparatuses such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes; Pediatric Optometric Services for youngsters until the age of 15; and Case Rate Adjustments applying another 50% succeeding the past year’s 30% in order to grant assistance for usual ailments.
For a more flexible and comprehensive coverage for members and their families, PhilHealth eliminated the single period of confinement policy.
A coverage was also extended for solo parents, foster children and eligible dependents.
The no co-policy for patients in ward or basic accommodations will also be implemented strictly for members to aid in quashing financial burdens and for members to benefit fully.
As of December 2024, PhilHealth X has 4,444,895 members in NorthMin. 1,937,975 are dependents. Collection gained 3,810,772,063 and the benefits that were paid amounted to 8,190,422,479.31.
The total number of accredited hospitals, ambulatory clinics and outpatient facilities are already at 481.
Pledged packages to be inaugurated in 2025 are for diagnosis related groups, Comprehensive Outpatient Benefit Package (COBP), Z benefit packages for heart valve surgery, children with disabilities, prostate as well as cervical cancer, open hear surgeries, rationalized case rates for chemotherapy (Lung, Liver, Ovarian, Prostate), diagnostic services and enhanced Z benefits for prostate and cervical carcinoma.
Parallel in the observance of the National Health Insurance Month by virtue of Proclamation no. 1400 series of 2007, Filipinos are consistently informed on the importance of social health insurance and efforts are being exhausted to guarantee access to necessary healthcare.
For concerns, PhilHealth can be contacted via 8662-2588. In Region X or NorthMin, a contact can be done via [email protected]. A call be requested through 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670 and 0917-127-5987 by texting “PHICallback
The anniversary of the state-run social health insurer is every February 14 since its inception on 1995.
