The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced its new benefit package rates for COVID-19 testing using plate-based and cartridge-based Reverse Transcription — Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) through its Circular No. 2021-0021, which took effect upon its publication on November 30, 2021.
In the said issuance, the State Agency shall provide coverage ranging from P800 to P2,800 for plate-based, and P500 to P2,450 for cartridge-based RT-PCR tests.
PhilHealth based the new rates on the revised costing estimates and the price cap prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It shall continue monitoring and reviewing the implementation of its benefit packages to ensure financial risk protection to its beneficiaries.
These testing benefits are available in PhilHealth-accredited testing laboratories. Further, the State Health Insurer reiterates that a member is entitled to the benefit following applicable DOH guidelines on priority sub-groups for SARS-CoV-2 testing. On the other hand, PhilHealth will still extend coverage to those who are not yet registered with the Program.
For more information on this development, please send a message to 09216300009 to receive a callback from PhilHealth’s Action Center. Comments, feedback, and suggestions may be sent to actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph You may also follow PhilHealth on Facebook and Twitter (@teamphilheath)
