On 15 October 2020, ECOP conducted a webinar entitled, “Benefit Packages for the Spectrum of Care for COVID-19: Payment Mechanism, Benefit Design, and Rules for Availment”. Ms. Abigail Estrada, Chief Social Insurance Specialist of the Benefit Development and Research Department under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) served as resource speaker.
The webinar featured a discussion of the salient features of the PhilHealth Benefit Package and an open forum in which questions from the participants have been addressed to further clear their understanding of the matter.
Under Section 4e of Republic Act No. 11469 otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”, it directs PhilHealth to shoulder all medical expenses of public and private health care workers in case of exposure to COVID-19 or any work-related injury or disease during the duration of the emergency.
The PhilHealth has a three-pronged objective to: (1) provide ample coverage for all Filipinos for essential health services needed to manage COVID-19 patients, (2) provide benefits coverage for the spectrum of care for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) based on systematic and evidence-based process, that includes appropriate costing, and (3) uphold their mandate of providing financial risk protection.
Ms. Estrada discussed the four types of benefits that the PhilHealth offers and how members, including their declared dependents, may avail of it. Currently, PhilHealth offers (1) Community Isolation Benefit Package, (2) SARS-CoV-2 Test by RT-PCR, (3) Inpatient Management of Probable and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Developing Severe Illness/Outcomes, and (4) Full Financial Risk Protection for Filipino Health Workers and Patients Against COVID-19. She also made mention of the upcoming benefit package for Cartridge-Based (GENEXPERT) PCR test to Detect SARS-COV-2.
Moreover, it has been clarified that there are several drivers that affect and increase the cost of COVID-19 testing. PhilHealth has conducted a baseline study of the suggested price for one testing kit. However, Ms. Estrada put emphasis on the fact that PhilHealth has no control over the price charged by testing facilities.
In trying times like this, PhilHealth remains a partner to every Filipino to assist them in their needs. It remains steadfast in its commitment to widen the access of Filipinos to quality and inclusive healthcare. The Philippines still has a long way to go before it achieves a truly universal healthcare and these small wins will help us reach our goal.
Visit ECOP COVID-19 Center
