The facade of the PhilHealth Head Office in Pasig City on September 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has increased its benefits for developmental disabilities as the country sees an increase in patients with special needs, the state health insurer said on Tuesday.
This, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the additional services in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
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“Sa aming tala, tumataas din yung prevalence or incidence ng developmental disabilities kagaya po diyan ay yung autism, yung cerebral palsy, iba-ibang global disability na dulot ng pagbabago sa ating environment,” said PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado.
“Ang nais po namin ay matugunan at mabigyan ng maagang lunas itong ating nakikita na may developmental disability para din po maging independent somehow ang ating mga pasyente,” he said.
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Among the benefits for developmental disabilities are occupational therapy sessions and consultations that were increased from 90 sessions to 150 sessions.
The PhilHealth is also looking at covering more medicine as studies show that outpatient medicine is the largest component of its members’ medical expenses, Mercado said.
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In Marcos’ SONA, the President also vowed to provide a more comprehensive Universal Health Care coverage for Filipinos, including treatments for HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart problems, and tuberculosis.
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