The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) marked World AIDS Day by announcing expanded coverage for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through an enhanced Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package, which now offers wider financial support and additional services while guaranteeing strict confidentiality for all members.

This initiative aligns with the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response” and reinforces PhilHealth’s commitment to awareness, prevention, and accessible medical care under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP). It also supports the Department of Health’s proposal to declare a national public health emergency amid the continued rise of HIV cases in the Philippines. On 27 November 2025, the DOH reported over 5,500 new HIV cases from July to September 2025.

PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado reassured PLHIV of the agency’s support and guaranteed the privacy of all patients seeking treatment.

“Wala po kayong dapat ipag-alala, narito po ang PhilHealth upang tugunan ang inyong pangangailangang medikal. Kaya huwag po kayong matakot o mahiyang magpagamot. Makakaasa kayo na po-protektahan namin ang inyong mga personal na impormasyon,” Dr. Mercado said.

Under the enhanced OHAT Package, PLHIV are now entitled to an annual benefit of P58,500, a 95 percent increase from the previous P30,000. The package covers antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals with confirmed HIV test results from certified facilities, regardless of clinical or immunologic status, and includes all services required for effective HIV management.

The enhancement is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen PhilHealth benefits to ensure adequate financial support for patients. In his second State of the Nation Address, the President emphasized that “The whole of society must exert efforts to suppress the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS… to stem the tide, the strategic plan is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications.”

Members can access the OHAT Package through 234 PhilHealth-accredited and DOH-designated HIV treatment hubs nationwide. In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed P1.66 billion for 176,819 OHAT benefit claims.

“Nakakabahala ang mga balita na pabata ng pabata ang mga PLHIV kung kaya’t nananawagan kami sa mga magulang ng mga kabataan, suportahan at iparamdam natin sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa at may kinabukasang naghihintay sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng early prevention at regular na pangangalaga sa ilalim ng ating mga YAKAP Clinics,” Dr. Mercado added.