New benefit in focus: PhilHealth Outpatient Mental Health Package to support “invisible” pains of Filipinos

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 5, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-11 March 4, 2025

PhilHealth is committed to holistically addressing the healthcare needs of every Filipino. 

“Nais naming ipaabot na kahit hindi nakikita ang inyong daing, may PhilHealth na magbibigay ng suporta at alaga sa inyo. Ito po ay alinsunod sa mga prayoridad ng ating Pangulong Marcos,” said Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO.

Through the PhilHealth's Outpatient Benefits Package for Mental Health [PhilHealth Circular 2023-0018], members and dependents aged 10 and above, can now access services encompassing initial assessments, follow-up consultations, diagnostic tests, and psychosocial support. It covers conditions such as depression, psychosis, epilepsy, child and adolescent mental and behavioral disorders, dementia, and self-harm or suicide risks, among others. 

As such, those requiring specialized care are provided with access to interventions from psychiatrists, neurologists, and psychologists. PhilHealth provides annual coverage of Php 9,000 for general mental health services and Php 16,000 for specialized care. 

Members can access these benefits at any accredited facility that provides general mental health services. These facilities include rural health units (RHUs), city or municipal health offices, level 1 and 2 hospitals, Department of Health (DOH) Medicine Access Program-mental health access sites, and stand alone mental health clinics. 

On the other hand, specialized mental health services can be accessed at accredited Level 2 and 3 hospitals with specialized staff, custodial care facilities, and national specialty centers identified by DOH. 

"We recognize the importance of accessible mental health services for every Filipino. Kaya naman, katuwang din natin ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan sa patuloy pang pagpapalawig ng ating mga serbisyo para sa kalusugang pangkaisipan. We are calling for more providers to participate and make these services within reach of Filipinos with mental health struggles," added Dr. Mercado. 

Beyond the Mental Health package, PhilHealth encourages individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health distress to utilize readily available 24/7 crisis hotlines, including the National Center for Mental Health hotline at 0917-899 8727 or 989-8727, for immediate counseling. 

PhilHealth remains committed to strengthening the nation's mental health service infrastructure and ensuring that quality care is accessible to all Filipinos needing them. For more questions on the MH benefit package and other benefits, members can call the following 24/7 touch points: (02) 866-225-88; mobile numbers 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.### 

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PhilHealth expands coverage for heart surgeries up to P1 million

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 3, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-10 March 1, 2025

Effective today, March 1, 2025, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth’s) significantly expanded Z Benefits Package for open heart surgeries and newly developed package for heart valve repair and replacement reaffirm the social health insurance’s commitment to provide financial protection for cardiovascular health 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of mortality in the Philippines.  Globally, 32% of deaths were reported to be due to CVDs (WHO). In response to this growing health concern, PhilHealth substantially increased the packages for the following open-heart surgeries: 

1. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) ranging from P660,000 to P960,000 (previously  at P550,000) 

2. Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) from P498,000 to P614,000 (previously at  P250,000) 

3. Total Correction of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) up to P614,000 (previously at P320,000) 

Additionally, PhilHealth has launched its new Z Benefits Package for Heart Valve Repair and Replacement ranging from P642,000 to P810,000. It also includes cardiac rehabilitation packages at P15,000 and P6,500 for adult and pediatric cases, respectively. 

Meanwhile, patients with rheumatic fever/ rheumatic heart disease undergoing these  treatments may be enrolled in the outpatient benefit package for secondary prevention in  accordance with PhilHealth Circular 2019-0005. 

Qualified PhilHealth members and dependents can avail of these benefits without co payments if admitted in ward accommodations of PhilHealth contracted facilities nationwide. 

These initiatives reinforce PhilHealth’s commitment to making essential healthcare services  more accessible to all Filipinos, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrust to  expand access to medical care for all communities. In his first State of the Nation Address,  PBBM stated that “We must bring medical services to the people and not wait for them to  come to our hospitals and health care centers.” 

As of December 2023, there are 131 specialty centers established nationwide.

"Kaisa ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ang PhilHealth sa layuning mailapit ang mga  benepisyo, lalo na ang mga specialty services sa mga Pilipino sa lahat ng rehiyon,” said  PhilHealth President and CEO, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado. “Ito ay naaayon sa layunin ng  Department of Health na pagbutihin ang antas ng mga ospital sa buong bansa.”, he added. 

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. ###  

https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2025/PC2025-0004.pdf 

https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2025/PC2025-0005.pdf 

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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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