Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 17) – Following the passage of Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) into law, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) extended its special privileges to its members and their dependents amid the pandemic.
Rey Baleña, senior manager of PhilHealth Corporation Communication, said that hemodialysis patients are now exempted from the 45-day limit or 90-session limit per year.
This means that all PhilHealth accredited facilities can accommodate such patients even beyond the abovementioned limits.
“Kung sakaling sila ay lumagpas na sa limit kada taon, ito ay maari paring ma-cover at bayaran ng PhilHealth,” Baleña told CNN Philippines. “Yung 45 days [limit], days po yun, mapa-confinement or out-patient [service], ay sasagutin pa rin ng PhilHealth.”
[Translation: If ever they exceeded the yearly limit, it is still covered by PhilHealth. The 45-day limit, whether its confinement or out-patient service, PhilHealth will still cover it.]
Baleña noted that accredited healthcare facilities should have already acknowledged the exemption. However, he said that if ever patients still paid for their hospital bill or dialysis session, they can reimburse it from PhilHealth.
The state health insurer also extended the filing period for reimbursement from 60 days to 120 days.
“Sa halip na 60 days from the date of discharge ay ma-file na yung claim, in-extend na natin ito sa mas mahabang period, 120 days,” said Baleña.
[Translation: Instead of 60 days from the date of discharge for you to file your claims, we extended it to 120 days.]
He added that COVID-19 testing can also be reimbursed.
Moreover, Baleña said that a status of a member’s contribution should not be an excuse for hospitals not to accommodate them.
“Batay po sa ating special privileges, hindi po dapat maging hadlang yung kakulangan sa kontribusyon para maka-avail ng benefit,” he said.
[Translation: According to our special privileges, the lack in contribution should not be a hindrance for one to avail of benefits]
However, Baleña pointed out that members should still settle their contributions after.
“Sinabi rin naman sa batas na yung mga kakulangan ay maaring i-settle ng miyembro pagkatapos na nilang maggamit yung benefit,” he said.
[Translation: The law also provides that members can settle their contributions after they used the benefit.]
Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Sept. 11, Bayanihan 2 is a continuation of the COVID-19 response programs under Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 1, but with emphasis on economic recovery this time.
