Latest news with #PhilippineHealthInsuranceCorporation
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Senators seek increase in PhilHealth's anti-rabies coverage
Two senators asked the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to increase its package for anti-rabies vaccination amid the rising rabies cases. In a hearing on Tuesday, Senator Bong Go said some patients might have hesitation about availing of anti-rabies shots because of the costs. 'Baka ang mga kababayan natin sa takot ayaw na magpa-injection dahil mahal ang babayaran. Lalo na pag talagang positibo na kailangan nila magpa-inject. Baka maaring taasan nyo ang inyong coverage para hindi matakot ang ating mga kababayan na magpa-injection at magpa-gamot dahil may PhilHealth na masasandalan nila,' said Go, chairperson of the Senate Committe on Health. (Perhaps our countrymen are scared of the injection because the fees are expensive. There really is a need for vaccination, especially when they test positive. Perhaps there can be an increase in coverage so that our countrymen would no longer be scared of vaccination and treatment because they can depend on PhilHealth.) 'Ang bilis, ang bilis niyan. Hindi yan pwedeng sandali…. Dapat punta kaagad sa hospital, punta kaagad sa health center, check-up kaagad. At kung kailangan magpa-injection, injection kaagad. Dapat tumugon kaagad ang gobyerno dahil buhay po rito ang nakataya dito,' he added. (It's so fast. They can't delay… You would have to immediately head to a hospital or to a health center for a check-up. If you need an injection, you need to be vaccinated right away. The government has to respond right away because there are lives at stake.) In an advisory in March 2025, PhilHealth noted that its current Animal Bite Package covers P5,850 for vaccinations. Some hospitals offer free vaccinations for humans, while local government offices also offer free vaccinations for pets. Senator Raffy Tulfo said that local government units must allot a budget for anti-rabies vaccinations for both animals and humans. Two rabies deaths occurred within a month —a man who died nine months after the bite and a woman who was bitten two months ago. The two did not avail themselves of anti-rabies shots. In 2024, the DOH reported a total of 426 rabies-related deaths and emphasized the need for pet vaccinations and increased rabies awareness. Meanwhile, Go also asked the Department of Budget and Management to settle the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) payouts of health workers. 'Unahin niyo bayaran ang mga appeals ng health emergency allowances. Yung mga health workers natin na nagsakripisyo at nakipagpatayan sa atin ng panahon ng pandemya. Kung totoo naman na pinaghirapan nila at pinagtrabahuan nila, sana gawan nyo po ito ng paraan,' he said. (Prioritize paying the appeals of health emergency allowances. Our health workers have sacrificed and faced the frontlines for us during the pandemic. If it is true that they have worked for this, I hope something could be done.) 'Services rendered po yan, pinagpawisan po yan, pinaghirapan po yan ng ating mga health workers. Sila po ang hero ng pandemya. Di natin mararating ito kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Ibigay po what is due,' he continued. (These are rendered services, toiled with sweat and hard work by our health workers. They are the heroes of the pandemic. We will not be able to get here without them. Give them what is due.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
PhilHealth CEO Mercado submits courtesy resignation
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado has submitted his courtesy resignation amid the ongoing post-midterm polls executive overhaul of the Marcos administration. 'Bilang pagsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay nagsumite na ng kaniyang courtesy resignation ang aming acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado,' PhilHealth said in a statement. (In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Jr., our acting president and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado submitted his courtesy resignation.) His resignation came after the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) directed state-run firms' non-ex-officio chairpersons, chief executive officers (CEOs), and all appointive directors/trustees/members of their respective GOCCs' governing boards to immediately submit their courtesy resignations to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary. Mercado, an orthopedic surgeon, was named as the new chief of PhilHealth in February in the midst of the controversial transfer of P60 billion funds of the state insurer to the national treasury, which was criticized by health advocates. Last week, Marcos sought the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries to "recalibrate" his administration after the 2025 national and local elections. The President had lamented that results of the May 2025 midterm polls showed that the people are "tired of politics and they are disappointed with the government." —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
05-04-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
Marcos assures public PhilHealth remains well-funded amid legal battle over P89.9-B transfer
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. sought to calm public fears over the funding status of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), saying the state insurer continues to expand its services despite concerns about a supposed fund shortfall. Speaking at the 'Trabaho at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan sa Bagong Pilipinas' event in Rizal, Marcos stressed that PhilHealth is financially sound and has, in fact, increased its insurance coverage and services over the past year. 'Maraming nag-aalala dahil sinasabi wala nang pondo ang PhilHealth para tulungan ang mga may sakit. Hindi po totoo 'yun,' he said. 'Mula noong nakaraang isang taon, imbes na mabawasan ang serbisyo, ito ay dumami pa.' The president emphasized PhilHealth's role in supporting Filipino workers, noting the high cost of medical treatment and the financial burden that illness imposes on laborers. 'Napakahalaga po niyan. Lalo na sa mga manggagawa—bawal magkasakit. At kung magkasakit man, napakamahal magpagamot,' Marcos said. 'Kaya't nandiyan po ang PhilHealth para tumulong, magbigay ng ID, at ilagay kayo sa kanilang data center.' His remarks came a day after the Supreme Court concluded oral arguments on several petitions opposing the transfer of PhilHealth's excess funds—totaling P89.9 billion—back to the National Treasury. The High Court had previously halted the remittance of the remaining P29.9 billion following PhilHealth's initial transfer of P60 billion last year. Petitioners, including Senator Koko Pimentel, the Philippine Medical Association, 1SAMBAYAN, and Bayan Muna Chair Neri Colmenares, argued that the funds should be reserved for health services, not returned to the treasury. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the Court is now requiring all parties—including amici curiae—to submit their memoranda within 30 days, a deadline that will not be extended. In January, PhilHealth maintained that its fund is sufficient to support its expanding benefit packages, even with zero government subsidy in the 2025 budget.
Filipino Times
21-03-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
PhilHealth removes 45-Day benefit limit for members
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced the removal of the 45-day benefit limit for its members. PhilHealth President and CEO, Edwin Mercado, explained in a statement on March 20 that the policy, which has been in place since 2006, is now considered an 'outdated cost-containment strategy.' Mercado acknowledged the policy's initial purpose but emphasized that with recent changes in the payment system, it is time for reform. He highlighted that medical needs are unpredictable, and many services require coverage beyond 45 days. Under the old policy, members were entitled to a maximum of 45 days for room and board, with an additional 45 days shared among dependents. PhilHealth has already expanded coverage in some areas, such as hemodialysis, which was increased from 90 to 156 sessions. The state health insurer is committed to ensuring that Filipinos with chronic illnesses or severe conditions continue to receive the necessary care. However, PhilHealth stressed that benefits should be utilized based on medical necessity, and patient care will be monitored to ensure proper adherence to clinical standards and reimbursement rules.
South China Morning Post
19-03-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Philippine midterms: voter anger over cuts, Duterte's arrest threaten Marcos' Senate slate
Senate candidates backed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr are steaming ahead before May's midterm elections, but analysts say their advantage may slip as budget cuts – alongside former president Rodrigo Duterte 's arrest by the International Criminal Court – stoke public anger. Advertisement In the 2025 national budget , the Philippine government reduced allocations for key sectors: education by 11.6 billion Philippine pesos (US$202 million), health by 25.8 billion pesos, and agriculture by a massive 43.2 billion pesos. Additionally, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, known commonly as PhilHealth, received no government subsidy after its officials were accused of misappropriating excess funds. Nearly three in five Filipinos believe cuts to the education sector go against the country's constitutional mandate to prioritise schooling, according to the latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor from independent polling firm WR Numero, which surveyed about 2,000 Filipinos last month. Meanwhile, 56 per cent said they thought the reduced budget for agriculture could drive up food prices and impoverish farmers and fishermen, while 53 per cent said budget cuts for the health sector would hinder access to public healthcare. Advertisement Analysts say widespread opposition to budget cuts is a 'critical' concern for voters and could steer them away from Marcos-backed candidates.
