The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Friday announced a significant expansion of its benefits package that covers peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplants, ischemic heart disease treatment, emergency care, and preventive oral health services.
“Last year, we made a promise to expand our coverage and prioritize the top ten most burdensome diseases, addressing the financial challenges these conditions bring to our members and their families,” said PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Rufino Ledesma Jr.
According to Ledesma, PhilHealth has delivered a total of 30 upgraded benefit packages in under two years through its benefit development plan.
He added that PhilHealth introduced the latest set of benefits enhancements in December 2024, publishing the necessary instruments and circulars for the affected packages.
Coverage for patients suffering from ischemic heart disease increased by 1,629%, while the reimbursement rate for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—a critical non-surgical procedure to clear blocked arteries—surged to P523,853, significantly higher than the previous P30,300.
“This package offers crucial coverage for heart disease, one of the critical health issues prevalent among us Filipinos. Our goal is to alleviate the financial strain on Filipino patients and ensure timely access to life-saving services,” he explained.
The annual benefit for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis will also rise dramatically from P270,000 to P1.27 million, while coverage for kidney transplants will increase from P600,000 to over P2 million per procedure.
“We also want to encourage the availment of peritoneal dialysis as a first-line modality treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease,” Ledesma remarked.
PhilHealth also introduced preventive oral health services into its benefits package for the first time and expanded its outpatient emergency care benefit to now cover commodities needed by the patient.
“There is still a lot to look forward to. We are set to release new packages for prescription glasses designed for children aged 0-15 years old, outpatient rehabilitation services, and assistive mobility devices,” he said.
“I look forward to 2025 as a milestone year for universal health coverage and building a healthier, more resilient, and more united Philippines.”