QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) increased the financial coverage for heart disease treatment to ensure better survival and health outcomes for Filipino patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
“We understand the significant financial burden that heart disease can place on families. We have listened to the patients and their families, and with the cooperation of our partner health facilities, we have been able to determine the prevailing costs that led us to adjust and substantially increase our financial support in these life-saving treatments,” said PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr.
The enhanced benefit package covers the Ischemic Heart Disease-Acute Myocardial Infarction (IHD-AMI) or “heart attack” for all inpatient admissions effective December 21, 2024.
This supports medical procedures and healthcare services associated with heart disease treatment, including the Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at P524,000 from P30,300, Fibrinolysis at P133,500 from P30,290, Emergency Medical Services with Coordinated Referral and Interfacility Transfer at P21,900, and Cardiac Rehabilitation after PCI at P66,140.
The PCI procedure, in particular, can be availed of at any of the 70 PhilHealth-accredited Cath Labs nationwide.
Meanwhile, Filipinos can avail of healthcare services to all PhilHealth-accredited clinics and hospitals across the country with no co-payment for inpatient admissions in basic or ward accommodations in both public and private health facilities.
By expanding the financial coverage for heart disease treatment, PhilHealth aims to ensure the timely provision of medical treatment and interventions to Filipino patients in need towards increasing their chances to better health outcomes.
PCEO Ledesma, however, reminds Filipinos that heart ailments are preventable by taking charge of their journey towards better health.
The PhilHealth chief encouraged Filipinos to start this journey by availing of the primary care benefits under the Konsulta program which supports early detection through free consultations with primary care physicians and laboratory tests. It also offers free medicines to those who already have heart conditions.
“Through the Konsulta, we can identify potential health risks early on, including family history of heart disease, allowing for timely interventions such as medication for cholesterol management and lifestyle advice, to prevent or mitigate the development of heart disease,” Ledesma added.
Filipinos can register for the Konsulta program at any of the local health insurance offices nationwide or through the PhilHealth Member Portal.
As of October 2024, there are more than 400 Konsulta Package Providers (KPPs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and PhilHealth expressed its commitment to further expand the network of KPPs in the country to improve the accessibility of healthcare services, especially to grassroots communities.
To date, cardiovascular diseases, specifically ischemic heart disease (IHD), remain the leading cause of death in the Philippines.
PhilHealth therefore urges Filipinos to embrace a healthy lifestyle and prioritize preventive healthcare through the Konsulta program for a healthier future. (PhilHealth/PIA-NCR/JMP)
PhilHealth enhances benefit package for heart disease treatment
