DIALYSIS COVERAGE INCREASES TO P1 MILLION PER YEAR – PHILHEALTH

PhilHealth benefit package for hemodialysis was raised from P4,000 per session in July to P6,350 per session in October (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has implemented a second increase in the hemodialysis package this year for members from PHP4,000 to PHP6,350 per session, raising it to nearly P1 million per patient per year.

Through PhilHealth Circular 2024-0023 which took effect on October 7, the development was implemented. PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) can now avail of the adjusted package for hemodialysis at any accredited dialysis facility near them.

Based on the circular, anti-coagulation medications and medicines for anemia, laboratory tests, dialyzers, hemodialysis solutions, and dialysis kits per session should given to KD5 patients. 

It also covers the use of dialysis machines, facilities, utilities, and employee wages, noting that all services should be available in all accredited public and private hemodialysis facilities in the country.

The latest adjustment raises the reimbursement for hemodialysis sessions to P6,350, from the P4,000 rate introduced in July. Patients now have access to a total annual package of P990,600, covering 156 sessions, compared to the previous maximum of P624,000.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma said this move aims to ease the financial burden on patients undergoing life-sustaining dialysis treatments at accredited facilities.

“Our aim is to ensure that patients will no longer have co-payment when availing of the minimum set of services for dialysis. We make good on our promise to take concrete steps to ensure that our benefit packages respond adequately to the needs of patients, which is a core objective of the Universal Health Care Law.”

Source: Philippine News Agency 

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