The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured the public that it covers hospitalization due to leptospirosis and dengue, two common conditions affecting Filipinos during the rainy season. Its dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic benefit packages are currently at P13,000 and P16,000, respectively while coverage for leptospirosis is at P14,300.
During rainy season it is observed that there is an increase in prevalence of water and vector-borne communicable diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water-borne diseases are brought about by water contamination which is a major risk factor associated with flooding. On the other hand, incidence of vector-borne diseases increases due to stagnant water that serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes.
The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 2,115 leptospirosis cases from January to July 2024, while dengue cases nationwide have affected 208,965 Filipinos
as of September 6, 2024.
PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. has assured the public that these benefits are available year-round and can be availed of by anyone hospitalized for these conditions at any accredited health facility nationwide.
“Aside from dengue and leptospirosis, your PhilHealth is aggressively enhancing the other benefit packages to provide adequate financial risk protection to all our kababayans. Asahan po ninyo ang patuloy na pagbuti ng mga benepisyo bilang bahagi ng aming programang Pinalawak at mga Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamayang Pilipino”, he added.
Ledesma announced the recently board approved increase of its package for severe dengue hemorrhagic fever from P16,000 to P47,000, to take effect soon once the issuance of the policy. He also emphasized that all Filipinos are immediately eligible to the benefits as provided for in the Universal Health Care Law.
“We continue to remind our members that they are supposed to enjoy your benefits prior to discharge from the facility, even if one has concerns on their contributions,” the PhilHealth Chief noted. “Ito po ay garantiya ng batas kaya dapat i-observe ng lahat lalo na sa mga ospital.
If ever there are missed payments on the part of the member, he said that these can be settled after the patient has enjoyed the benefits. “Ang mahalaga ay nagamot muna ang pasyente at nagamit ang benepisyo. Ito po ang esensiya ng UHC,” he explained.
For the first half of 2024, PhilHealth has paid over P14.7 million for leptospirosis claims, and more than P1 billion for both hemorrhagic and severe dengue.
For further inquiries on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 Hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or
0917-1109812.
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