PhilHealth now pays for junkies’ confinement

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) now pays for hospital confinement for mental and physical disorder caused by abuse of illegal substances.

Such hospitalization is paid for under the existing benefit schedule provided by PhilHealth, the state-run health insurer yesterday said in a statement.

“These conditions are among the components related to drug dependency that PhilHealth is paying for in the all-case rate payment mechanism,” PhilHealth president Ramon Aristoza Jr. said.

Ruben John Basa, PhilHealth senior vice president for health finance policy sector, added that PhilHealth pays for hospitalization for mental and behavioral disorders secondary to substance abuse.

In particular, PhilHealth pays for such hospitalization at a package rate of P7,800, including payment for professional and hospital fees.

Basa said PhilHealth paid P25 million in benefits for drug-related cases in 2014 and 2015.

PhilHealth is working on a medical detoxification package to manage acute physical symptoms due to withdrawal from drugs.

It is also working with the Department of Health in formulating guidelines for a benefit package for drug dependents, as part of the Duterte administration’s drive against illegal drugs.

PhilHealth has issued a new policy covering orphans, abandoned and abused minors, out-of-school youths and children under its sponsored program.

Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2016-0019, these children are entitled to benefit coverage such as access to inpatient, outpatient and primary care services, and the no-balance billing policy.

PhilHealth will also begin deploying registered nurses to accredited hospitals nationwide as part of the institutionalization of PhilHealth services in such hospitals.

The PhilHealth customer relations and empowerment staff will assist patients in accredited hospitals all over the country.

A PhilHealth spokesperson said nurses would help patients not only in matters involving membership and concerns at hospitals, but also provide information and conduct surveys on PhilHealth programs and policies./rga