PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. —INQUIRER.net/Arnel Tacson
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members can expect another 30 percent increase in health benefits by the end of the year, Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said on Tuesday.
Ledesma, in a hearing of the Senate panel on health and demography, bared plans of the state health insurer for the rest of the year.
“Members can also expect another 30 percent increase, almost across the boards for case rates and I can assure this committee that it will happen before the year ends,” he said.
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“For the remainder of the year, members can still expect numerous benefit packages to be released. This includes the following: the supplementary package Philhealth plus, physical and medical rehab, dengue package enhancement, chemotherapy package improvement, emergency care and more benefit package enhancements,” Ledesma added.
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In January, Ledesma signed PhilHealth Circular No. 20204-001 that granted the 30 percent increase in the coverage rate of most of its benefit packages. It took effect on February 14.
Meanwhile, a House Resolution No. 1900 filed by Agri Party-List Representative Wilbert Lee sought for another round of 30 percent increase in all its benefit packages and coverage. Lee also pushed for the 30 percent across-the-board benefits hike for PhilHealth members implemented in February.
Most case rates have not been adjusted since 2013, the time when PhilHealth first implemented the case-based payment system, or the reimbursement of the state insurer to the accredited hospitals and health care providers a fixed amount for a certain medical condition.
Ledesma added that “next year, the Universal Health Care goal of a comprehensive outpatient and benefit package will also come into fruition.”
According to PhilHealth Circular No. 2023, the Universal Health Care and its Implementing Rules and Regulations mandates the health insurer to “develop a comprehensive outpatient benefit package that includes an outpatient drug benefit and coverage for emergency medical services.”