P7b earmarked for extra health benefits

The 35-percent increase in state-managed healthcare benefits will cost the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. about P7 billion, said PhilHealth president and chief executive Dr. Rey Aquino. The increased benefits package covering 69 million members nationwide was approved by the PhilHealth Board, chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque, last Feb. 12.

The increase in benefits is the first in seven years since PhilHealth adjusted the benefit in 2002, and is the most expansive ever, even among benefit increases during PhilHealth’s Medicare years.

The PhilHealth chief executive said the new in-patient benefits were published in supplements, on April 5, the date of the packages’ effectivity in order to provide complete information on the new benefit schedules.

“Those who missed the supplements are advised to call or visit their nearest PhilHealth or their health care providers,” Aquino said.

The new schedules will serve as the day-to-day reference guide of PhilHealth members, hospitals, local government authorities, personnel managers, employee benefit specialists and all other health care partners and professionals.

The new package is divided into three types of hospitals—tertiary, secondary and primary—and covering: room and board, drugs and medicine, X-ray, laboratory and others, operating room and professional fees.

“We presented these schedules in boxes for easy reference by our health care providers and partners, and we want our members and health care professionals to master such schedules,” Aquino pointed out.