By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will significantly expand its insurance coverage for patients suffering from moderate and severe leptospirosis beginning July 15, providing substantially higher financial assistance for hospitalization and life-saving treatments.
The announcement was made by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, who said the enhanced benefit package is part of the government’s continuing effort to lessen the financial burden on Filipinos affected by the potentially fatal disease.
Under the upgraded package, eligible members may receive up to P63,000 for hospital confinement, P170,000 for hemodialysis, and P230,000 for peritoneal dialysis.
For critically ill patients requiring multiple intensive medical interventions, PhilHealth’s financial assistance may reach as much as P411,000. The expanded package covers patients who require a combination of hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
The improved benefits come as health authorities continue to monitor rising cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection commonly contracted through exposure to floodwaters contaminated with animal urine.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that 2,177 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide from Jan. 4 to June 6, representing a six-percent increase compared to the same period last year.
PhilHealth also highlighted the continued implementation of its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which provides free medical consultations for members.
Doctors participating in the program may prescribe doxycycline, an antibiotic commonly used to help prevent leptospirosis among individuals exposed to contaminated floodwaters or other high-risk environments.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth reported significant progress in modernizing healthcare delivery, with 3,149 healthcare facilities now equipped with PhilHealth-certified Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems.
The total includes 2,274 government health facilities and 875 private clinics using the eKonsulta platform.
PhilHealth said accredited YAKAP clinics may continue using the eKonsulta system until Dec. 31, allowing healthcare providers to process patient records and insurance claims more efficiently.
The state insurer added that health facilities utilizing certified EMR systems are expected to benefit from faster claims processing, more reliable reimbursements, and improved cash flow, ultimately enhancing the delivery of healthcare services to PhilHealth members.
ia/xf
