PhilHealth implements expanded newborn care package in Palawan

The Newborn Care Package (NCP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., (PHILHEALTH) has now been expanded.

Marianne Carlos, Information Officer of PhilHealth- Palawan said under the expanded package, it will now be the entire Expanded Newborn Screening Program.

Carlos said the package used to be limited to the six panel test. The cost was also raised from P1750 to the P2950, she said.

One of the highlights of the new package is the inclusion of the newborn hearing screening test.

“Before po kasi ang naaavail para sa Newborn Care ay Php1,750 at sa enhanced Newborn Care Package ay Php 2,950. So na-add po dito yung newborn hearing screening test. Sa enhanced po ay nadagdag yung new born hearing screening test and then lumaki ang package,” she pointed out.

The expanded benefit is provided under the “Guidelines on the Implementation of Expanded Newborn Screening Program” in 2014, by the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2014-0014, the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System expanded screening panel of disorders from six (6) to 28 (and more).

However, the extra cost was previously borne by the families since the old NCP initially covers only 6-panel tests, she also said.

“So we are hoping this January 5 or 6 ay implemented na sa lahat ng accredited facilities ng PhilHealth especially po dun sa nabanggit kong expanded Newborn Care Package,” Carlos said.