PhilHeath expands Z benefit packages

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Z Benefit Packages have been expanded to include coverage for colon and rectal cancer.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Alexander Padilla noted in a forum that expenses for the treatment and management of colon and rectal cancers are now covered for members who pass the selection criteria.

The criteria are based on current standards validated by experts in colon and rectal cancers and are adopted by PhilHealth during benefits development .

“We are definitely not stopping at having 11 Z benefit packages and the quest to introduce more relevant, responsive packages continues,” Padilla added.

Based on PhilHealth studies, colon cancer and rectal cancers are now the third most prevalent cancers among males and the fourth among females. Incidence rates rise starting at age 50 for both sexes.

“Like other forms of cancer, treating colon and rectum cancers requires a multi-disciplinary team of experts. Through the Z Benefit Packages, we are offering state-of-the-art treatment for early stage up to stage III to increase chances of survival from these diseases,” he said.

The Z package rate for the entire course of treatment of colon cancer, Stages I to II (low risk) is P150,000, while the package rate for Stages II (high risk) to III is P300,000.

On the other hand, the Z package for the entire course of treatment for rectal cancer, Stage I (clinical and pathologic) is P150,000.

PhilHealth will also pay P400,000 for pre-operative clinical stage I, but with post-operative pathologic Stages II-III using linear accelerator as mode of radiotherapy. Coverage for the same stages but using cobalt as mode of radiotherapy is P320,000.

According to Padilla, the Z Benefit Packages were designed to help ailing members” go back to society as productive citizens and to contribute to the economic growth of the country.”

The benefits can be availed of at public and private health care facilities that will be accredited by PhilHealth.

The agency is evaluating the capabilities of some accredited facilities that have expressed their intention to become contracted facilities for the package.

“We are optimistic that before the year ends, there will be members who will be availing themselves of the package…Our challenge now is to bring in more facilities to be our contracted partners for the Z Packages. Let us not take that wait and see attitude but rather, let us grab the opportunity to be part of this noble program,” Padilla said.

Health care institutions that intend to become contracted facilities for these packages must adhere to the No Balance Billing Policy or the “Walang Dagdag Bayad” policy for indigent and sponsored members who will avail themselves of the Z packages.

source: Philippine Star