Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) — Philippine Health Insurance Corporation members will not have to pay for hospital treatment associated with coronavirus disease, the state-run insurer’s chief said Thursday.
“Lahat ng hospitalized sasagutin yan. ‘Yun lang mga nako-confine, iyon lang ang masasagot ng PhilHealth,” PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales said in a briefing aired over People’s Television Network.
[Translation: All of those who are hospitalized or confined (due to COVID-19) will not have any out-of-pocket costs.]
He added medical costs of frontline medical staff will be paid for ‘whatever it takes.’
“Babayaran ng PhilHealth ang medical expenses nila especially mga public health workers,” Morales added.
[Translation: PhilHealth will pay for all of their [members, especially public health workers] medical expenses.]
The insurer also covers the COVID-19 testing as long as they are from all qualified laboratories and not “self-administered,” Morales said.
Previously, PhilHealth said Filipinos can also avail a health package worth ₱14,000 once they were placed under observation for the disease. The amount will provide ₱1,000 for each day of the isolation.
Patients are also entitled to a beneficiary package of up to ₱32,000 if they get severe pneumonia.
PhilHealth releases P1.6 billion to hospitals
Morales also said that PhilHealth has released 1.6 billion pesos to its accredited hospitals as of yesterday to help them respond to the impact of COVID-19, adding more will come their way.
Earlier, some hospitals announced they have reached full capacity in terms of handling COVID-19 patients.
The money will serve as future payment for insurance claims of the healthcare providers.
