PhilHealth expands coverage for leptospirosis
Under the expanded benefit package, eligible patients may receive up to P63,000 for hospital care, P170,000 for hemodialysis, and P230,000 for peritoneal dialysis.
Daily TribuneUnder the expanded benefit package, eligible patients may receive up to P63,000 for hospital care, P170,000 for hemodialysis, and P230,000 for peritoneal dialysis.
DAILY TRIBUNE file Photograph
Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure accessible healthcare for Filipinos and ease their financial burden, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said it is expanding its leptospirosis benefit package, under which coverage may reach up to P400,000 for qualified patients with severe cases and needing critical care.
In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the expanded benefits will be implemented on 15 July for moderate to severe cases.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by Leptospira that affects both humans and animals and is commonly transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats, dogs and livestock.
Under the expanded benefit package, eligible patients may receive up to P63,000 for hospital care, P170,000 for hemodialysis, and P230,000 for peritoneal dialysis.
For qualified patients requiring intensive treatment, Castro said the benefit package may reach P411,000, particularly for those needing a combination of hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation and pulmonary rehabilitation.
The Palace official also said that PhilHealth offers free consultations under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), where patients may be prescribed doxycycline, an antibiotic used to prevent cases of leptospirosis, when needed.
“PhilHealth covers “gamot package” up until P20,000 per member annually for those needing medicines for leptospirosis,” Castro said.