DOH says kidney transplant patients get PhilHealth support 'for life'
Kidney transplant patients are entitled to suppport from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation "for life," the Department of Health said.
"Mayroong forever support 'yung PhilHealth para sa post-kidney transplant [patients]," DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo told DZMM Teleradyo.
He called the new Z Benefit Package for kidney transplant patients a "game changer."
"Dati kasi, ayaw magpa-transplant ng mga tao kasi kahit meron silang donor, kahit makapag-ipon sila nung initial na P1.5 million, eh every month, umaabot ng P40,000 to P50,000 'yung maintenance na gamot," he said. "Sabi ng PhilHealth ngayon, 'Sagot namin 'yun, for life.'"
On June 19, PhilHealth launched the new Z Benefit Package for post-kidney transplantation service, wherein adult patients aged 19 and above are entitled to P40,752 per month for immunosuppressive medications, P18,932 for six months of treatment, P11,242 for six months of treatment, and P11,242 for every three months of laboratory services for the first year and P8,125 for every three months for the succeeding years.
The state insurer will also provide benefits to pediatric patients, such as P73,065 per month for the first year, P41,150 per month for the succeeding years, P45,570 for drug prophilaxis or antibiotics, P37,585 for laboratory services for every three months for the first year, and P14,078 for every three months for the succeeding years.
Additionally, living kidney donors get P1,900 worth of laboratory and monitoring services every six months.
Domingo also added that PhilHealth has the financial capability to cover the benefits.
In December 2024, the bicameral conference committee said PhilHealth would not receive additional subsidy from the naitonal government in the 2025 budget. However, the state insurer assured its members that it would continue to provide benefits for their medical needs.
The Senate cited the agency's substantial unutilized P600 billion fund as the primary reason for the subsidy denial. Sen. Grace Poe, the national budget's sponsor in the Senate, said that the insurer must first exhaust its reserves fund.
Meanwhile, bicam member Rep. Jude Acidre said in a press conference on Dec. 16 that PhilHealth has "more than enough funds" for next year.
