TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — In order to build a stronger foundation for universal healthcare for all members in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office 8 has reiterated its commitment to provide a comprehensive health insurance, alleviating the financial burdens associated with illness and hospitalization.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in Tacloban City on Tuesday, February 11, Asisclo B. Militante, Field Operations Division chief of Philhealth-8, assured that the agency will continue to advance its National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and the universal health care initiatives through the implementation of the expanded health care benefit packages starting this year.
As part of its commitment, Militante said PhilHealth has now expanded its coverage especially the marginalized sectors, introducing 13 new and enhanced benefit packages.
Significant enhancements include a 144 percent increase in coverage for hemodialysis patients amounting to P6,350 for 156 sessions annually; the enhancement to the Konsulta Benefit Package and the inclusion of outpatient anti-tuberculosis or TB DOTS, malaria, HIV/AIDS and animal bites; a 194 percent increase in coverage for dengue hemorrhagic fever from P16,000 to P47,000; rate adjustments for COVID-19 in-patient benefits; and the Z-benefit package for kidney transplantation.
Also included in the package are ischemic heart disease (acute myocardial infarction) with coverage ranging from P21,900 to P523,853; peritoneal dialysis for CKD5 patients; and expanded benefits for cataract extraction ranging from P20,000 to P187,100 per eye from P16,000 per eye.
Militante added that members can also avail of new PhilHealth benefits not only during confinement but also during check-ups such as outpatient emergency care which covers urgent medical care not requiring 24 hours hospitalization in hospital emergency rooms; preventive oral health services; physical medicine, rehabilitation and assistive devices; and pediatric optometric services for children aged 0 to 15 years old.
Following a 30 percent increase for over 9,000 case rates last year, PhilHealth has implemented an additional 50% increase, further enhancing financial support for common illnesses and procedures such as moderate-risk pneumonia, caesarean sections, and cholecystectomies, he said.
As of December 2024, PhilHealth Region 8 has paid a total of P5.6 billion of more than 600,000 claims, with pneumonia-moderate risk topping the list of common claims amounting to P741,799,181.18.
“Sa aming mga miyembro, patuloy po naming sinisiguro na tuloy-tuloy na magagamit ang mga benipisyo sa PhilHealth, siguraduhin ang inyong kalusugan, alamin ang inyong mga benipisyo, at gamitin ang inyong PhilHealth kung kinakailangan,” Militante emphasized.
Currently, over 200 health facilities, including hospitals, rural health units, birthing facilities, and dialysis centers, are PhilHealth-accredited in the region. In total, PhilHealth is serving 4.9 million Filipinos in Region 8. (CBA/PIA Eastern Visayas)
