DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa – Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Department of Health (DOH) is working with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to expand financial coverage for liver transplant procedures in the country, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Monday.
Herbosa made the announcement during the first anniversary of the joint liver transplant program of The Medical City and Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City.
He said the government is studying the inclusion of liver transplants under PhilHealth’s Z Benefits package, with possible coverage of about Php 2 million per procedure.
The Z Benefits program currently covers selected high-cost treatments and procedures for severe illnesses, including certain cancers and organ transplants.
Herbosa said the proposal would also include support for post-transplant care, noting that immunosuppressive maintenance for kidney transplant patients already costs around Php 40,000 per month.
He said improved coverage could help ease the financial burden on patients, pointing out that liver transplants in the country can cost about P5 million.
At The Medical City’s Center for Liver Health and Transplantation, procedures are priced at about Php 2.4 million, with 30 liver transplants performed since 2011.
Herbosa also said that 466 Filipinos are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants as of 2025, underscoring the need to strengthen the country’s organ donation and transplant system.