PhilHealth reinforces support for Filipinos living with HIV/AIDS

by Info @Brand Zone | Feb. 27, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-09 / February 27, 2025 

PhilHealth reaffirmed its commitment to supporting people living with HIV (PLHIV) by  providing increased financial access to essential healthcare through its comprehensive  outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment coverage. 

The enhanced Outpatient HIV Treatment (OHAT) Package now provides P58,500 in annual  benefit, a 95% increase from the previous P30,000. The package includes antiretroviral  therapy (ART) for all individuals with confirmed positive HIV test results confirmed by certified  institutions, regardless of their clinical or immunologic status. It also ensures access to all  minimum essential services necessary for effective HIV management. 

This enhancement is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to  continually improve and sustain health insurer’s healthcare benefits by ensuring adequate  financial support to patients seeking medical treatment. In his second State of the Nation  Address, the President emphasized that “The whole of society must exert efforts to suppress  the alarming rise of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. To stem the tide, the strategic plan is to  ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications.” 

The OHAT Package can be accessed through any of the 234 PhilHealth-accredited DOH designated HIV Treatment facilities nationwide. With this improved OHAT Package,  PhilHealth not only hopes to support PLHIV members to seek appropriate management but  also to reassure and encourage other PhilHealth members to sign up for regular testing.  

The state-insurer also emphasized that a separate package for TB-DOTS may be  reimbursed at accredited TB-DOTS facilities. Members may avail of both the OHAT and TB DOTS packages simultaneously. 

In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed a total of P1.66 billion for 176,819 Outpatient HIV/AIDS  Package benefit claims. 

For further inquiries on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at  (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe)  0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.

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PhilHealth chief meets with hospital groups to increase access points and address provider concerns

by Info @Brand Zone | Feb. 20, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-08 | February 20, 2025 | Reference:  Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas

Pasig City, Philippines – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), under the leadership of Acting President and CEO, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, held a consultation meeting with the country’s leading private hospital groups and national associations. The brief meeting focused on PhilHealth’s commitment to improving its efficiency, addressing wastage, and optimizing processes to ensure that hospitals receive timely payments for their claims.

Attendees included heads and representatives from the Metro Pacific Health Corporation, Mount Grace Hospital Group, Unilab Foundation, AC Health, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., and Philippine Hospital Association. 

Dr. Mercado and the hospital executives also mutually agreed to take on the challenge of increasing access points for primary care. The hospitals taking on primary care will facilitate the completion of Health Care Provider Networks (HCPNs) which will bring us closer to achieving Universal Health Care for every Filipino. 

“We recognize the significant role that private hospitals play in delivering quality healthcare services to Filipinos. We can only leverage their capacities when we build a sphere of trust and effective coordination”, said Dr. Mercado.

Next on his priority list to meet are the government hospitals, both DOH and LGU-managed. With continued stakeholder engagement across the public health community, we are creating a strengthened PhilHealth that can uplift healthcare financing in the Philippines.

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