INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that it had instructed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to include ultrasound and mammogram services in its “Philhealth Konsulta.”
“I have directed the PhilHealth Benefits Committee, chaired by Asec. [Albert Francis] Domingo, to work on adding ultrasound and mammogram services in the current nationwide Konsulta benefit package, for immediate implementation nationwide,” said Herbosa in a DOH statement.
The order came a week after House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo called on the state health insurance to provide free mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests for all female members. The ACT-CIS Partylist representative cites breast cancer as one of the top causes of death among Filipino women.
According to Philhealth Circular 2023-0013, the Philhealth Konsulta package covers individual-based health services. Health screening serves as the first patient encounter. Initial primary care consultation follows wherein the patient is given access to select diagnostic services and medicines. There will also be follow-up consultations if necessary.
“This will ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early so that we can unload higher level hospitals within the health care provider network,” the DOH chief added.
Early this month, Philhealth also increase its benefits package for the treatment of breast cancer to P1.4 million. The benefit package was previously just P100,000.