PhilHealth extends free dialysis to 144 sessions

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) extended its coverage of hemodialysis sessions from 90 sessions to a maximum of 144.

PhilHealth President Dante Gierran announced in an official statement the expansion of dialysis late Monday, November 16.

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“The PhilHealth Board of Directors has approved on November 11, 2020, the continuing coverage of hemodialysis sessions beyond the 90-session limit to a maximum of 144 sessions which can be availed of until December 31, 2020,” the statement read.

“PhilHealth will immediately issue the guidelines for this special privilege through a circular,” it added.

The state insurer directs all its regional offices and concerned healthcare facilities to continue honoring all availments beyond the 90-session limit as duly prescribed by a licensed physician.

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Gierran added patients who have paid for their hemodialysis sessions should file for reimbursement with their nearest office.

Last week, Gierran said he would ask the board to extend the free dialysis coverage of PhilHealth.

“Ang kanyang magiging suggestion sa board po, at ito po ay bukas nila pagmi-meetingan, ay three times a week times four weeks a month times twelve,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his regular virtual briefing. “So more or less ang maibibigay na libreng dialysis kung aprubahan po ng board ay 133 per year.”

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PhilHealth extends free dialysis to 144 sessions

(His suggestion to the board, which will be meeting tomorrow, is (to add) three times a week times four weeks a month times twelve (of free sessions). More or less, 133 free dialysis (sessions) per year may be provided to patients should the board approve it.)

As per PhilHealth’s policy, the insurer only covers up to 90 free sessions annually for dialysis patients.

Roque also said dialysis patients would also get an additional ₱10,000 from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Gierran has already discussed the matter with PCSO General Manager Royina Garma, he added.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged PhilHealth to “expedite the process of reviewing and upgrading the benefits package for dialysis.”

“Even if push comes to shove, lalo na pag limitado ang pondo natin [especially when our funds are limited], we must find ways to fund these life-saving services. Huwag nating gawing [Let’s not turn into] ‘sacrificial lambs’ ang mga [these] dialysis patients,” she said in a previous statement.