The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced Monday it has significantly enhanced its support for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through an expanded Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package, coinciding with World AIDS Day.

The move comes as the Department of Health (DoH) considers declaring a national public health emergency due to a surge in HIV cases. The DoH reported over 5,500 new cases from July to September 2025 alone.

In response to the growing concern, PhilHealth acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado stressed the health insurer’s commitment to patients.

“You have nothing to worry about; PhilHealth is here to address your medical needs,” Mercado said. “So, do not be afraid or ashamed to seek treatment. You can be assured that we will protect your personal information.”

The enhanced OHAT Package now offers an annual benefit of P58,500, marking a 95 percent increase from the previous P30,000 limit. This benefit covers antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all individuals with confirmed HIV test results from certified facilities, regardless of their clinical status, along with other essential services for effective HIV management.

This enhancement aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to continually improve the country’s healthcare benefits. In his second State of the Nation Address, the president stressed that society must work to suppress the “alarming rise of HIV/AIDS” by ensuring early diagnosis, treatment, and ample testing sites.

The OHAT Package is accessible through 234 PhilHealth-accredited and DoH-designated HIV treatment hubs nationwide. In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed a total of P1.66 billion for 176,819 OHAT benefit claims.