PhilHealth rolls out medical detoxification package for drug dependent members

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has come up with a medical detoxification package for members who are drug dependent.

Based on PhilHealth Circular No. 2016-0030, PhilHealth has approved a package rate of P10,000 for the provision of mandatory medical detoxification services.

“All eligible members and dependents of the National Health Insurance Program, who need to undergo medical detoxification, can avail of this package as a one-time benefit availment,” said PhilHealth.

“PhilHealth shall ensure the provision of the minimum standards of medical interventions to safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use through a medical detoxification package,” it added.

But PhilHealth OIC-President and CEO Ramon Aristoza Jr. stressed that medical detoxification should not be seen as the lone treatment to drug addiction.

“Medical detoxification must be implemented together with the collaborative and the concerted efforts of pertinent agencies that shall address the challenges of drug addiction in terms of the personal, health and societal aspects of drug rehabilitation,” said Aristoza.

The package includes physical, mental and neurological exams, urine test, complete blood count, blood sugar, serum, creatinine, chest X-ray, and ECG.