PhilHealth 2024 Update: What’s New in Coverage and Benefits

PhilHealth, the government’s health insurance program in the Philippines, has undergone several changes over the years to improve access to healthcare. In 2024, the corporation enhanced its benefits further while maintaining core coverage areas that continue to benefit members. Here’s a comprehensive look at both the existing and newly expanded coverage.

Long-Standing Benefits in PhilHealth 2024

PhilHealth continues to provide members with comprehensive support across essential health services, including:

• Hospitalization Coverage: In PhilHealth, members can count on help with hospital expenses, covering room and board, laboratory fees, and doctor’s services. PhilHealth offers specific coverage amounts depending on the hospital level and type of illness, including case rates for common issues like pneumonia and gastroenteritis.
• Maternity and Childbirth Support: The PhilHealth package includes normal and complex delivery options, prenatal and postnatal care, and Caesarean sections. This assistance lightens financial strain during childbirth and offers more affordable maternal healthcare.
• Primary Care Services: Members can still access wellness and preventive care services, like annual check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and screenings for lifestyle diseases, as part of PhilHealth. These primary care services keep wellness care affordable for all members.

What’s New in PhilHealth 2024

In 2024, PhilHealth introduced new benefits and raised coverage amounts to help members manage costs for chronic conditions and treatments for severe illnesses:

1. Higher Coverage Rates: As part of PhilHealth, rates increased by up to 30% across several healthcare services. This increase provides more substantial help with both inpatient and outpatient care, reducing members’ out-of-pocket expenses for hospital stays and advanced treatments.
2. Extended Dialysis Coverage: PhilHealth raised the yearly limit for dialysis sessions from 90 to 156, providing almost year-round coverage. This change greatly supports patients with chronic kidney disease who need regular dialysis treatments.
3. Expanded Stroke Treatment Support: Under PhilHealth, stroke patients receive more assistance. Ischemic stroke patients now get PHP 76,000, up from PHP 28,000, while support for hemorrhagic strokes increased to PHP 80,000, from PHP 38,000. These improvements mean stroke patients have better access to essential treatments and recovery resources.
4. Greater Cancer Treatment Benefits: In the Z Benefit Package, PhilHealth now offers up to PHP 1.4 million for breast cancer treatment. This increase covers diagnosis, treatment, and post-care support, ensuring more accessible long-term cancer care for those who need it.

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With these updates, PhilHealth aims to ease healthcare costs for more Filipinos. By increasing coverage for chronic illnesses and serious conditions, PhilHealth reduces financial stress and opens doors to necessary care, whether for regular wellness visits or advanced treatments. These expanded benefits reflect PhilHealth’s commitment to helping Filipinos stay healthy and financially secure.