By Tracy Cabrera
Well into the rainy season when cases water-born diseases are expected to increase, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has decided to expand coverage of moderate to severe cases of leptospirosis in order for more patients to access treatment.
According to Palace press officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary Clarissa ‘Claire’ Castro-Seechung, the move is in alignment with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s directive to assuage the medical expenses of most Filipinos.
Under the expanded coverage, hospital care package has been raised to ₱63,000 while hemodialysis was increased to ₱170,000 and peritoneal dialysis to ₱230,000.
Accordingly, the overall benefit can also reach to ₱411,000 for qualified patients who need a combination of hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation and pulmonary rehabilitation.
PhilHealth likewise disclosed that medical consultations will be provided for free at Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) providers where prescriptions for doxycycline against leptospirosis can be obtained if needed.
Also included under the expanded coverage is PhilHealth’s Gamot Package that provides up to ₱20,000-worth of assistance to members every year for medicines prescribed to treat leptospirosis.
