PhilHealth’s Increased Benefits Hailed by Dialysis Patients in the Philippines

LEGAZPI CITY — Aileen Climacosa Torres, a dialysis patient for over two decades, has publicly expressed her gratitude for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) recent enhancements to its hemodialysis coverage, which significantly reduces the financial burden on patients like her.

According to Philippines News Agency, she was diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) in March 2002, a condition that has required her to undergo regular hemodialysis to manage. She detailed her routine and expenses, including a co-payment of PHP700 per session, which she had to complement with additional costs for medicines, tests, and transport, amounting to between PHP17,000 and PHP20,000 monthly.

Recently, PhilHealth increased its hemodialysis benefit package from PHP2,600 to PHP4,000 per session as of June 21, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive in his second State of the Nation Address that promised free dialysis for the majority of Filipinos. Following this, a new memorandum was introduced in her dialysis center starting July 1, eliminating the co-pay requirement and covering additional costs like injections and monthly laboratory tests.

Torres expressed relief and happiness over the changes, noting the positive impact on her life and finances. The policy revision allows for up to 156 annual sessions for patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5, up from the previous 90, underlining PhilHealth’s commitment to enhancing patient care.

Additionally, the PhilHealth Board has approved separate payments for catheter insertion and blood transfusions, further supporting dialysis patients. Torres hopes that these benefits will continue under future administrations, emphasizing the significant improvement they represent for individuals dependent on regular dialysis.