The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation launched on Thursday a mental health outpatient benefit package that aims to address the looming mental health crisis in the country.

The state-run health insurer's newest benefit 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.

According to PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group Acting Vice President Rey Baleña, members may avail of the new benefit package in the "next couple of weeks."

"The circular had just been published today. It will take at least 15 days since the publication of the circular," Baleña told reporters in a chance interview.

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

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

Meanwhile, the specialty mental health services package offers up to P16,000 worth of benefits per year.

Who may avail

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

PhilHealth said all Filipinos are eligible to avail of its outpatient benefit package for mental health provided they are at least 10 years old for psychiatric cases. There is no age restriction for neurologic cases.

Eligible beneficiaries shall be duly screened and assessed by Mental Health Gap Action Programme-trained health workers.

It also noted that members should only avail of the mental health benefit from PhilHealth-accredited mental health providers.

Citing data from the DOH, PhilHealth said at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological and substance use disorder.