PhilHealth to offer new benefit packages covering rare diseases by 2025
Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will soon enjoy enhanced benefit packages, which include coverage for rare diseases, expected to be available in early 2025.
ICYMI, the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of the PhilHealth board has approved the new enhanced benefit packages for heart attacks, kidney disease, mobility limitations, oral health, and 10 rare diseases.
Among the diseases included are maple syrup urine disease, Methylmalonic acidemia/propionic acidemia, galactosemia, phenylketonuria, gaucher disease, pompe disease, fabry disease, Hunter syndrome, morquio syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. According to ABS-CBN News report, the package rates will range from P99,000 to P739,000.
There are also preventive oral health services at primary care that the members enjoy annually, the services include oral screening, dental cleaning, fluoride varnish application, pit and fissure sealants, Class V procedures, emergency tooth extractions, and consultations.
Those with chronic kidney disease will also get improved coverage for peritoneal dialysis. Also included is providing the assistive mobility devices required by therapists such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches for those who need physical rehabilitation.
As per the state health insurer, the enhanced benefits packages are set to roll out in early 2025.
Prior to this, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said in September PhilHealth has agreed to cover optometric services in its benefits coverage.
In October, they abolished the single period of confinement policy after several lawmakers’ requests. The state health insurer will now cover members’ readmission due to the same illness within 90 days.
