PhilHealth Celebrates 30th Anniversary

PhilHealth Regional Office IVA Acting Regional Vice President Edwin M. Oriña, MD headed the celebration of PhilHealth’s 30^th anniversary in the region with the conduct of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

In his discussion, ARVP Oriña presented the new and enhanced PhilHealth benefits which include the following, which took effect on January 1, 2025:

1. PD Z Benefits have been set at P389, 640 and P510, 140 depending on the required PD solutions a patient requires per day. Meanwhile, PD Z Benefits for pediatric patients under the CAPD are set at P510, 000 and P765, 210 while coverage for APD ranges from 763,000 to P1.2 million.
2. Z Package for Kidney Transplantation which covers Living Organ Donor Transplantation, increasing the previous coverage over Php1 million, while, Deceased Organ Donor Transplantation is set at Php2,14 million.
3. Preventive Oral Health Services as part of primary care services.
4. Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) which provides comprehensive coverage for emergency services.
5. Emergency Departments (EDs) and emergency transport services for cases that do not result in hospital admission and may be availed of in OECB accredited facilities.
6. 50% Adjustment in Case Rates Packages

ARVP Oriña emphasized that, “details on its new and enhanced benefit packages, highlighting the 50% adjustment increased in Case Rates Packages for conditions covered under the Z Benefit Package and many others. It was highlighted that these updates mark a significant transformation in PhilHealth’s coverage”.

Meanwhile, Field Operations Chief Arturo C. Ardiente assured everyone in his welcome message that “PhilHealth is standing stronger and even better as it remains a beacon of hope to countless of lives who have availed the benefits under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP)”.  He added that it is still a challenge for PhilHealth to explain the significance of ensuring ones health but that he hopes that people have a change of mindset on the NHIP, it being a social product, which members appreciate only when confined in the hospitals.

Likewise, series of marketing activities with members and partners via various dialogues, fora/ orientations and PhilHealth Konsulta Caravans were also conducted in line with the celebration.  The Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs), where frontline transactions were done, prepared their own treats for their clients.  Pampering services, medical consultations, snack treats and tokens were provided to transacting clients in partnership with health facilities and private companies.  A Thanksgiving Mass was also held as opening for the series of activities.

These activities are focused not just in showcasing the enhanced benefits to implement the NHIP and Universal Health Care (UHC) more efficiently but more importantly as a venue to give due recognition and appreciation to the PhilHealth members it is committed to serve.

February is National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) Month by virtue of Proclamation 1400 series of 2007. It is also during this month that PhilHealth celebrates its birth anniversary every 14^th. This year, we celebrate PhilHealths continued commitment in ensuring its mandate to ensure that all Filipinos are provided with social health insurance protection against the rising cost of medical care services.

This year’s celebration is guided by the theme “Panatag Kami Dito”, a reaffirmation of its aspiration and enduring commitment to bring peace of mind to every member, knowing that they can rely on PhilHealth for financial support whenever costly medical situations arise in the family.

The celebration is a step closer to the fulfillment of the UHC mandate through continued collaboration towards one common goal: financial-risk protection against medical care costs. ### (SMOC)