MANILA – Spurred by rising dengue cases nationwide, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has raised its benefit package for severe dengue from P16,000 to P47,000, representing an increase of 200 percent.
The state insurer said the increase, which was implemented on November 1, 2024, is part of its ongoing benefit rationalization to provide adequate financial risk protection to Filipinos afflicted with the disease.
Latest data from the Department of Health showed that the number of dengue cases nationwide as of October this year has reached 314,785.
The National Capital Region has reached alert level status, with 24,232 cases and 66 dengue-related deaths recorded.
“PhilHealth is committed to supporting Filipinos, most especially during these challenging times,” PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma said in a news release on Tuesday.
“With this two-fold increase in health insurance coverage for severe dengue, we hope to alleviate the financial burden on affected families. There is no more reason to delay seeking immediate medical treatment upon observing dengue symptoms,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PhilHealth package for dengue, with or without warning signs, has already been increased from P10,000 to P13,000.
PhilHealth reminded its members that patients availing themselves of services beyond the minimum standards of care in non-ward accommodations, including additional services unrelated to dengue management in accredited private health facilities, will incur copayments.
Meanwhile, services in non-basic accommodations in public facilities are subject to fixed copayments.
In these cases, patients will be charged additional fees for upgraded services (private, executive, or suite rooms), choice of physicians, and the use of amenities such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, and Wi-Fi.
Attending physicians are required to thoroughly inform patients of the minimum standards of care for the management of severe dengue, and the resulting out-of-pocket or copayment costs arising from the use of amenities and upgraded services. (PNA)