KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The Z benefit packages of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) now make life-saving open-heart surgeries and valvular heart disease (VHD) treatments more accessible to patients in SOCCSKSARGEN and nearby regions.
This follows the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between PhilHealth and St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc. (SEHI), located in General Santos City, which allows SEHI to provide Z benefit packages for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and valvular heart disease.
PhilHealth’s Z benefit package provides financial assistance to patients and their families for high-cost treatments, including kidney transplants, CABG surgery, and various types of cancer.
Dr. Hector Zenon Leonardo P. Malate, PhilHealth regional vice president, highlighted the importance of this partnership in broadening the reach of vital healthcare services.
“This agreement with St. Elizabeth Hospital reinforces our dedication to providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare benefits to our members in Region 12 and neighboring areas. We are confident that this will profoundly impact the lives of many Filipinos,” Malate said.
Under the collaboration, PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents can now access life-saving heart care services at SEHI, with PhilHealth covering the costs per policy provided under Z benefit packages.
Z benefit package for CABG provides coverage of up to P960,000, encompassing pre-operative assessments, the surgical procedure, post-operative care, and follow-up consultations.
On the other hand, the package for VHD for both adults and pediatric patients covers up to P810,000 for heart valve repair and/or replacement, similarly including comprehensive care from initial evaluation to post-operative management.
Meanwhile, Antonio G. Veneracion, chief executive officer of SEHI, described the collaboration as a significant leap and an honor in ensuring accessible healthcare to Filipinos.
This collaboration with PhilHealth marks a significant leap toward our unwavering commitment to making critical healthcare accessible to those who need it most, Veneracion said.
“We are honored to partner with PhilHealth in safeguarding Filipino families from the potentially devastating financial burdens associated with severe cardiac conditions,” he emphasized.
In a press release, PhilHealth noted that these benefit packages ensure that patients receive thorough information and support throughout their treatment journey through consultations with medical specialists and healthcare facilities to fully understand the necessary services, treatment costs, available options, schedules, individual responsibilities, and required follow-up visits.
During the pre-operative phase, SEHI will adhere to PhilHealth’s selection criteria to ensure appropriate patient eligibility and will transparently inform patients about their entitled benefits based on existing policies.
While patients have the option for private accommodations and specialist fees, those admitted to basic or ward-type accommodations with shared amenities will benefit from PhilHealth’s No Balance Billing policy for essential health services and post-operative complications with no added out-of-pocket expenses.
At the contract signing, PhilHealth Region 12 was represented by Malate and Dr. Lizamar P. Banatao, chief of the Health Care Delivery and Management Division.
Veneracion, along with Samantha Mae S. Chu, represented Medical Director Dr. Maria Helena Veneracion-Garcia and signed the MOA for SEHI.
The alliance supports the national agenda of providing robust financial risk protection to families facing catastrophic illnesses.
PhilHealth further emphasized that by reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring access to quality healthcare through standardized care protocols, this partnership represents a vital step towards a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system for the Filipino people.
Prior to the MOA signing, patients in SOCCSKSARGEN and neighboring areas, had to go to hospitals in Davao City, such as the Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Doctors Hospital, to avail of Z benefit packages for CABG and VHD from nearest contracted facilities.
St. Elizabeth, a private and ISO-accredited tertiary hospital, is also the first and only facility in the region to offer the PhilHealth Z benefit package for breast cancer. (With reports from PhilHealth Region 12)
