TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Eastern Visayas has announced on Tuesday its expanded benefit packages and enhanced services for its members.
During the 16th episode of the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ Rosario B. Suyom, officer-in-charge of the Office of PhilHealth regional Vice President, said these include increased benefit packages for patients of acute stroke, pneumonia, breast cancer, and enhanced benefit package for colon cancer patients.
“Mayroon kaming mga benefit package enhancements. Ini hira, gin-ngaranan na ini o gin-mention na ini ni Presidente [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] dida han iya SONA,” Suyom said.
(We have benefit package enhancements. These were already mentioned by President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] in his SONA.)
Suyom said the benefit package for hemorrhagic stroke has increased to P80,000 from P38,000 while ischemic stroke patients can now avail of P76,000 benefit package from the previous P28,000.
Meanwhile, patients suffering from high-risk pneumonia can also avail of the 182 percent increased benefit package amounting to P90,100 from the previous P32,000.
Since March 20, 2024, PhilHealth also implemented an increased Z benefit package for breast cancer patients from P100,000 to P1.4 million.
Services include diagnostics up to P14,900; surgery up to P140,000; chemotherapy up to P122,000 to P198, 000; hormone therapy ranging from P5,400 to P36, 000; targeted therapy up to P1 million; and surveillance up to P14,000.
Before this year ends, cancer patients can also expect inclusion of chemotherapy for lungs, liver, ovary, and prostate cancer in the benefit package.
PhilHealth also implemented a 30 percent increase in the coverage rate of most of its benefits since February 14, 2024.
Said benefits cover those in need of the services in the caesarian section where patients can now avail a P24,700 benefit package from the previous P19,000.
Same rate increase can be availed of by patients of dengue fever from P10,000 benefit package to P13,000.
PhilHealth also implemented a 54 percent increased benefit package for hemodialysis patients from P2,600 to P4,000, increasing further the dialysis sessions for the whole year from 144 to 156 or covering three sessions a week.
In addition, a new outpatient benefit package for mental health was also introduced by PhilHealth.
The Specialty Mental Health Service Package rate at P16,000 per person each year covers services such as assessment, specialist diagnostics, follow-up visits, medicines, psychotherapy and access program of the Department of Health for mental health.
As of June 2024, PhilHealth Eastern Visayas reported a total of P2.1 billion paid claims in the region processed for an average of 25 days. Under the law, claims processing should be done within 60 days. (CBA, PIA Eastern Visayas)
