PhilHealth eyes expansion of dialysis treatment
MEXICO, Pampanga In an aim to further provide assistance to the Filipino people, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is looking into the possibility of further extending the coverage for hemodialysis treatment.
According to PhilHealth Vice President for North Luzon Walter Bacareza, the agency is mulling the expansion of the benefits of patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment to a maximum allowable 114 sessions per year, or an additional 24 sessi ons.
“We are pushing for a change in policy in the coverage of hemodialysis treatment because we see that the current policy is still not enough. Most of patients are still burdened with out-of-pocket expenses due to the still somehow limited benefits offered to our members and their dependents,” he sai d.
Currently, Bacareza said that PhilHealth members and their dependents suffering kidney diseases can only avail of up to 90 sessions per year with a P2,500 case rate amount per sessi on.
However, a common patient with kidney disease needs to undergo hemodialysis treatment thrice a week, or some 144 sessions in one year. After availing of the current maximum allowable coverage for dialysis, the patients have no choice but to shell out cash for a hemodialysis treatment .
“Although 114 sessions will still not be enough to cover all the sessions of our members undergoing hemodialysis treatment, we are still positive that that the change in policy will help lessen their financial burden,” he said.
While the measure is still under study, Bacareza rallied Governor Lilia Pineda, who is known for her implementation of comprehensive health measures,
and all local officials and PhilHealth members in the region to show their support in proposed change in policy.
“The voice of the people and our local officials will play a big role in this development we are proposing and hopefully we can help each other help our fellow Filipinos who are suffering kidney diseases,” he said.