PhilHealth is on the brink of significantly enhancing its healthcare offerings, with plans to introduce free mammography and ultrasound screening services for breast cancer detection by June 2024. This initiative, as announced by the Department of Health (DOH), is in direct response to the directives from Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, who also presides over PhilHealth’s board of directors. The move aims to expand the coverage of the Konsulta package, making critical diagnostic services more accessible to the public.
The push for broader healthcare benefits aligns with the vision of President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez, who have both emphasized the importance of improved health services for the Filipino populace. Herbosa articulated the board’s commitment to enhancing primary care benefits, stating that the inclusion of mammogram and ultrasound services would extend beyond pilot locations to be available nationwide.
Furthermore, PhilHealth has decided to raise the capitation rate of its Konsulta package to P1,700 per patient annually. This adjustment allows private Konsulta package providers to implement a co-payment scheme of up to P900, though services in public facilities will remain fully covered without any charges to patients.
The implementation timeline for these upgraded benefits and payment adjustments is targeted for June 2024, contingent upon the finalization of necessary operational details, including IT system upgrades. This development is part of a broader strategy to enhance PhilHealth’s offerings, following Speaker Martin Romualdez’s call for a congressional review of PhilHealth’s charter. The goal is to expand coverage, ensuring that at least 50% of treatment costs in private hospitals are covered, and to provide free screenings for critical illnesses, such as cancer.