PhilHealth launches mental health package

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, or PhilHealth, launched on Thursday a mental health outpatient benefit package to address the growing mental health crisis in the country.

The state-run health insurer's newest package was launched during the Department of Health and World Health Organization's unveiling of the 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework.

Members may avail of the new benefit package in the "next couple of weeks," according to PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group acting vice president Rey Baleña.

"The circular was just published today. It will take at least 15 days since the publication of the circular [for it to go into effect]," Baleña told reporters in a chance interview.

The outpatient benefit package for mental health is divided into two, namely, general mental health services and specialty mental health services.

Under the general mental health services package, members may avail up to P9,000 benefits annually. The specialty mental health services package offers up to P16,000 worth of benefits per year.

The benefit package is open to members dealing with depression, psychosis, mental and behavioral disorders, and other mental health conditions.