DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) XI has received claim applications for the enhanced Z Benefit Package totaling to roughly P20-million, as of first week of December 2024.
Dr. Gianelli Kristine Remocaldo, medical specialist under PhilHealth XI’s Benefits Administrative Section of the Healthcare Delivery Management Division, said that out of 1,562 claim applications, 1,541 have pushed through.
“Gamay na lang (Only few are) pending claims, which have already been processed,” Dr. Remocaldo said in an interview.
She said that PhilHealth has introduced the enhanced Z Benefit Package that covers catastrophic and most complicated illnesses, like renal diseases, colon cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer, among others.
“These have been grouped into one, so that benefits are bigger. Because it is a burdensome disease, burdensome to the finances of the family,” Dr. Remocaldo stated.
She disclosed that the most common claim in the region was peritoneal dialysis, a treatment for kidney failure.
“Fortunately, there’s no drastic rise in breast cancer cases this year,” she said, as she mentioned that breast cancer rate is up to P1.4 million covering the whole course of treatment, such as pre surgical diagnostics, laboratory exams, surgery, chemo therapy and radiation.
Davao region has only four health facilities that cater to catastrophic diseases, such as the state-run hospitals Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.
The other Davao City-based facilities are the Davao Doctors Hospital and Tebow Cure Hospital, which are both private entities.
Dr. Remocaldo however emphasized that they are also strengthening campaigns for preventive packages for the public to avoid being inflicted with catastrophic diseases.
She cited the Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit Tama) Package, which is a comprehensive outpatient benefits mandated by the Universal Health Care Law.
Starting this year, the Konsulta program has been adjusted to P1,700 annual capitation per beneficiary.
Dr. Remocaldo said there are 128 accredited Konsulta clinics in the region with at least 328 accredited physicians.
She encouraged the PhilHealth members and their dependents to avail of the outpatient benefits in the nearest accredited facilities, saying “for early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.” (CLC/PIA Davao)
