CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Celebrating their 30th anniversary, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)-10 reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality and equitable healthcare in Northern Mindanao, benefiting 5.2 million Filipinos in Region 10.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, February 11, PhilHealth-10 Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II said the agency will continue its delivery of services through the improved National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and advance universal healthcare for all.
“Last year, we promised ‘pinalawak at mga bagong benepisyo para sa mamamayang Pilipino (expanded and new benefits for the Filipino people).’ Staying true to that promise, we have broadened our coverage, especially for marginalized sectors,” Aseron said.
Since September 2024, PhilHealth has launched 13 new and enhanced benefit packages.
Among these enhanced offerings are their hemodialysis package, whose coverage increased by 144 percent and now amounts to P6,350 for 156 sessions per year, as well as their package for severe dengue hemorrhagic fever, which has increased by 194 percent.
Members can also avail themselves of the agency’s Z Benefit Package for kidney transplantation, including pre-transplant, transplant, and post-operative care, which also saw an increase of 44 percent to 249 percent in coverage (P865,000 to P2,093,000).
For their enhanced Konsulta Benefit Package, PhilHealth has also included Outpatient Anti-Tuberculosis (TB DOTS), Malaria, Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT), and animal bites.
As part of its expanded coverage, Aseron also said through its Outpatient Emergency Care Package, PhilHealth now covers urgent medical care that does not require hospitalization for more than 24 hours in hospital emergency rooms.
Coverage for dental examinations, cleaning, fluoride varnish, and root service protection has also been integrated into the agency’s Konsulta Program, further advancing oral health for every Filipino.
PhilHealth also implemented an additional 50 percent increase for more than 9,000 cases of common illnesses and diseases following a 30 percent increase in the previous year. With this new rate, members can claim up to P29,250 in benefits for moderate-risk pneumonia, up to P37,050 for cesarean section surgery, and up to P60,450 for cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal.
Consistent with its aim to better support the health and well-being of Filipinos, Aseron said the agency plans to launch 10 additional packages in the coming year for cases including prostate and cervical cancer, open-heart surgery, diagnosis-related groups, and children with disabilities; rationalized case rates for chemotherapy; and its Comprehensive Outpatient Benefit Package (COBP), among others.
Further, Aseron also called on the public to help raise awareness of the agency’s new and enhanced offerings, underscoring its role in ensuring access to healthcare for all.
“Ako po’y nananawagan—tulungan niyo po kami na ipaalam ang tamang impormasyon, ipaalam ang bagong benepisyo. Marami pa po tayong kababayan na nagkakasakit, nao-ospital, hindi nila alam ang gagawin. Hindi nila alam na nag-improve na po ang ating benefits. Tulungan niyo po kaming iparating ang magandang impormasyong ito para sa kanila,” Aseron said.
(I am calling on everyone—please help us spread the correct information and inform people about the new benefits. Many of our fellow Filipinos are still getting sick and hospitalized without knowing what to do. They are unaware that our benefits have already improved. Please help us share this important information with them.)
In 2024, PhilHealth-10 recorded a total membership of more than 4 million in northern Mindanao. The agency has also paid more than P8 billion worth of PhilHealth benefits to some 67,271 claims made in the past year. (GDA/PIA-10)
