In the midst of growing public concern over the financial costs of getting treatment for the Coronavirus Disease 2019, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) once again assured the public that it will “shoulder the full cost of treatment of CoViD-19 cases until April 14, 2020.”
April 15, 2020, PhilHealth releases guidelines for new Covid-19 inpatient care benefits
- Under Philhealth Circular 2020-0009 dated April 8, 2020, it stated that all Filipinos are deemed eligible for any Covid-19 benefits for inpatient care. Filipinos who are not registered with PhilHealth will be automatically covered, provided that they complete member registration prior to their discharge.
- The single period of confinement and 45 days annual benefit limit shall not be applied to the said benefit package.
- This is effective for all admission cases starting April 15.
Arlan Granali, PhilHealth-Central Visayas area vice president, said patients with mild pneumonia in the elderly or with co-morbidities are entitled to a package
- There are four categories for cases of pneumonia, the usual complication of COVID-19.
- For mild pneumonia, the package set is P43,997; P143,267 for moderate pneumonia; P333,519 for severe pneumonia and P786,384 for critical pneumonia.
Until April 14, PhilHealth was shouldering in full the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients. But from April 15 onwards, the new case rates shall apply.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said PhilHealth should reverse its new scheme to impose limits on the assistance for Covid-19 patients.
“I am appealing to the President and the IATF to reverse the decision of PhilHealth to limit the treatment cost it will shoulder. It is the poor who will suffer from that decision, and I am sure the President will not allow that,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez made the appeal following a news report that an unnamed private hospital in Metro Manila billed a “moderate case” Covid-19 patient PHP1.2 million to PHP1.5 million for an 18-day confinement and treatment.
P70,000-P80,000 per day
On average, patient’s confinement had cost P70,000 to P80,000 per day.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that, “Patients who are poor and even those belonging to the middle class certainly cannot afford PHP61,000 or even much less than that a day. The government, through PhilHealth, has to help them by shouldering the full cost of treatment,” Rodriguez said.
He cited that the bill included PHP176,945 for the patient’s stay in the emergency room, PHP123,665 for the use of an incubator, PHP178,820 for X-rays and a test kit, and PHP305,636 for medicines.
Rodriguez said the maximum amounts were set five days after PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales announced that the firm would answer for the full cost of Covid-19 treatment.
What do you think about this limits set by PhilHealth? What are your thoughts?
Praying for our national recovery,
Read More:
- The Millionaire Morning Routine
- This Stops You From Becoming Rich
- What you Do in Your Spare Time Determines Your Success
Sources:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1852577
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/04/16/2007668/philhealth-limits-covid-coverage
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1259436/survivors-fight-vs-covid-19-took-18-days-cost-over-p1m
https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/2020/will_pay.php
Latest posts by Pinky De Leon-Intal, MD, RFC (see all)
- Say Goodbye to Chronic Lifestyle Diseases (Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer, Gout, etc.) with Right Food and Right Water - 23 May, 2023
- Embracing Superpowers: A Mom’s Journey as a Doctor, Professor, and Financial Consultant - 19 May, 2023
- Celebrating the Power of Women: Honored by Philippine Daily Inquirer - 17 May, 2023
