PhilHealth asked to cover smoking cessation programs

The anti-smoking group New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to formulate a benefit package that will cover smoking cessation programs.

NVAP President Emer Rojas said they are hoping that PhilHealth will have a specific benefit package that will help encourage smokers to consider getting professional help to kick the deadly habit.

"It would be a big factor for those who want to quit if they know that they don't have to shell out any money when they undergo the smoking cessation program," said Rojas.

"We call on PhilHealth to come up with a benefit package that will specifically cover smoking cessation programs they will have to undergo," he added.

Rojas said he believes that PhilHealth has the capability to cover such a benefit package.

He noted how the revenues sourced from sin taxes also make it imperative for PhilHealth to help in the effort to help more smokers quit smoking.