The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has announced a significant increase in financial support for kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. The package rate for each session will rise to PHP 4,000, up from the current PHP 2,600. This decision was made after approval from the PhilHealth Board, following a recommendation from the Benefits Committee Chairperson, OIC Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), a detailed PhilHealth circular will soon be issued to ensure patients can claim the improved benefits promptly. The revised package also includes separate claims for catheter insertion and blood transfusions, independent of the main case rate for admission.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa highlighted the broader strategy of treating and preventing kidney diseases, noting the necessity of support for early detection and prevention, alongside end-stage treatment. “The threat of kidney disease requires support not just in end-stage treatment, but in its prevention and early detection as well. These initiatives bring each Filipino closer to accessing the highest quality healthcare at the lowest cost,” Herbosa stated.
PhilHealth is also considering enhancing financial coverage for primary care, complementing the DOH’s upcoming “PuroKalusugan” initiative aimed at improving healthcare at the community level.
This move comes in the wake of a reported 40% increase in new dialysis patients within a year, as observed by the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). Dr. Romina Danguilan, Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services at NKTI, welcomed the increased support, noting the critical need given the specialty center’s high patient volume.