PhilHealth: Breast cancer tests free starting July

MORE ACCESSIBLE Screening for breast cancer is made easier with free annual ultrasound and mammogram tests under PhilHealth’s “Konsulta” benefits package. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Starting in July, women can avail themselves of free mammogram and breast ultrasound tests every year under a Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) breast cancer prevention and detection package.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday that PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. relayed the information to him during a meeting.

Romualdez had previously called on the state health insurer to provide breast cancer detection tests to women free of charge.

During their meeting, Ledesma told Romualdez, “We will deliver, sir. We will not fail you; we need to deliver. We are really confident that we will be able to fulfill your request,” adding that the services could be provided starting in July.

Swift action lauded

Romualdez lauded PhilHealth for its “swift action,” saying that “this is the best news we can give to the Filipino women, especially during Women’s Month.”

“Early detection is key in addressing various health concerns, and by removing financial barriers to these essential services, PhilHealth is helping to save lives and promote a healthier future for our women,” he said.

READ: Romualdez hails PhilHealth’s expanded coverage for breast cancer

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also announced on Tuesday that he had instructed PhilHealth to include ultrasound and mammogram services in its “Konsulta” benefits package “for immediate implementation nationwide.”

Preventive services

“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,” Herbosa added in a statement.

PhilHealth also increased its benefits package for breast cancer to P1.4 million from the previous P100,000 earlier this month. INQ