The benefit package for kidney transplant patients of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is likely to see an upgrade for the first time.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said PhilHealth’s benefits committee is studying how to increase benefit packages for kidney transplantation and “services needed after a patient undergoes the life-saving treatment.”
“The gold standard of treatment for patients with end stage renal disease is still a kidney transplant … We are improving these benefits,” said Teodoro, also PhilHealth chairman.
According to the Department of Health, PhilHealth’s benefit package for kidney transplant has stayed at its original rate of P600,000 since 2012 when it was launched as one of the first Z benefit packages of the state insurer.
Recommendations of the committee will be up for the approval of the PhilHealth Board of Directors which will have its next regular meeting before the end of the month.
Last week, the committee submitted to the board proposed improvements of benefit packages for heart attacks, 10 rare diseases, preventive oral health and primary care, peritoneal dialysis, and assistive mobility devices.
It pushed for a package for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart attacks.
The 10 rare diseases are Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Methylmalonic Acidemia/Propionic Acidemia, Galactosemia, Phenylketonuria, Gaucher Disease, Pompe Disease, Fabry Disease, MPS II (Hunter Syndrome), MPS IV (Morquio Syndrome), and Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
It also recommended benefits for preventive oral health services to complement the PhilHealth “Konsulta” package.