The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Nearly four years after introducing the Z benefits for standard-risk acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is increasing their package rates to ensure that the mandatory services covering the entire treatment phases for three years are provided to the patient.
By providing comprehensive management, Filipino children suffering from ALL shall have the opportunity to achieve a survival status comparable with their Western counterparts.
The adjusted rate for the three-year treatment of standard-risk ALL in children who are enrolled in retained hospitals of the Department of Health (DOH) that are contracted to provide the services for the Z benefits is P380,000, up from P210,000. Chemotherapeutic drugs will also be supplied by the DOH.
For other contracted healthcare institutions, the adjusted rate is P500,000 and entails individual procurement of chemotherapy drugs.
The difference in rates is a move toward rationalizing government resources. Since the DOH shall be providing chemotherapeutic drugs to members enrolled in contracted DOH-retained hospitals, PhilHealth shall be able to maximize its resources for the development or enhancement of its benefit packages. All contracted health care facilities must comply with the requirements set forth by PhilHealth under the Z Benefits.
“Unlike other forms of cancer, leukemia in children is highly curable. We believe that every child is worth fighting for and the first step to changing the lives of thousands of children is through this expanded Z benefit package for ALL,” PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Ramon F. Aristoza Jr. said.
“Every child deserves the best chance to get their life back on track after illness, hence, PhilHealth shall ensure improved quality of care and access to adequate treatment for them,” he added.
To avail themselves of the enhanced benefit rates, members must meet the selections criteria and fill out the Member Empowerment (ME) Form, where clinical information, member education, treaatment and follow-up visit schedules, as well as member roles and responsibilities vis-a-vis the treatment plan, are indicated.
PhilHealth members may soon avail themselves of the adjusted rates for Z Benefits for ALL in contracted hospitals, such as the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, Philippine Childrens Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Western Visayas Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.