PhilHealth assures coverage for patients in ERs, tents

 (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) guaranteed that patients who are admitted in hospitals’ emergency rooms (ERs) and tents are covered by the state insurer as some facilities hit full capacity.

“This was reiterated by the state health insurer as COVID-19 cases continue to surge and several health care facilities have reportedly been running at full capacity to accommodate patients,” PhilHealth said in a statement on Monday.

PhiHealth clarified that admitted patients staying in the ER or makeshift facilities within the hospital’s premises due to unavailability of rooms, will receive full benefits if they stayed in the facility for 24 hours or more, based on Advisory Nos. 2021-027 and 2021-028.

Private health facilities, however, must submit a justification letter along with their claim in compliance with the policy.

“PhilHealth beneficiaries admitted in tents within the compound of accredited hospitals in areas categorized as high to critical risk for COVID-19 shall be compensable starting March 29, 2021.”

Meanwhile, patients infected with COVID-19 that developed into severe cases may avail themselves of the following inpatient benefits: mild pneumonia, P43,997; moderate pneumonia, P143,267; severe pneumonia, P333,519; and critical pneumonia for P786,384.

An intermediate package for previously managed as probable COVID-19 case but had negative RT-PCR test results are also covered with the intermediate package amounting to P18,000 and P38,000 for moderate and severe/critical pneumonia, respectively.

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