PhilHealth continues to uphold its mission to provide every Filipino with access to quality healthcare services through the ongoing campaign, “Pinalawak at mga Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamamayan, damang-dama ng bawat Pilipino.” This effort, aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision, represents a significant commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Through the program, PhilHealth aims to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of social status, can access life-saving medical treatments without being financially overwhelmed. “Ito ang mensahe ng PhilHealth sa ating mga kababayan, huwag po kayong matakot sa gastos sa pagkakasakit, sagot kayo ng PhilHealth!”, emphasized the state health insurer’s President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. during today’s event.
PhilHealth President Ledesma said that the agency has focused on identifying and expanding coverage for the top 10 most burdensome diseases in the Philippines, such as pneumonia, severe dengue, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and various cancers. To date, 60% of these conditions are now covered by the expanded healthcare financial benefits. As a result, higher case rates for pneumonia, asthma, stroke, neonatal sepsis, and hemodialysis are already benefiting members. By 2025, PhilHealth will also roll out enhanced coverage for lung, liver, ovary and prostate cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy.
The increased financial support for catastrophic illnesses is a critical element of PhilHealth’s Universal Health Care (UHC) mandate. This move aims to protect families from falling into poverty due to medical expenses.
PhilHealth also takes pride in being the first in the Asia-Pacific region to offer an outpatient therapeutic care package for Severe Acute Malnutrition. Launched on October 1, this benefit package is geared toward alleviating malnutrition among children, thereby reducing the financial strain on families facing this challenge.
Further enhancing its patient-centered approach, PhilHealth announced the lifting of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) rule, ensuring that members requiring extended care are not forced to shoulder additional expenses. The benefits for hemodialysis will again increase by 59%, providing nearly Php 1 million in coverage annually for affected members.
In addition to these expanded benefits, PhilHealth is embracing digital technology to improve service delivery. Partnerships with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) aim to streamline services, ensuring that even Filipinos in remote areas can easily access PhilHealth’s services and benefits.
“Konsulta,” PhilHealth’s primary care benefit package, will also be enhanced, offering free consultations, diagnostic tests, and essential medicines as will be prescribed by their Konsulta providers to promote the well-being of Filipinos before they even get sick.
PhilHealth calls upon healthcare providers, local government units, and media partners to work together to ensure that every Filipino feels secure in seeking medical help.
As PhilHealth expands its coverage to better serve the needs of our citizens, President Ledesma appeals to hospitals and healthcare providers to support PhilHealth’s efforts in reducing out-of-pocket expenses of patients. “Our goal is for every Filipino to genuinely experience and appreciate the benefits program. Together, the nation can build a healthier, more resilient Philippines”, Ledesma concluded.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
