THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is looking at the possibility of expanding the coverage for hemodialysis treatment.
According to PhilHealth vice president for North Luzon Walter Bacareza, the agency is mulling to increase the number of maximum allowable hemodialysis treatment sessions per year to 114, or an additional 24 sessions.
"We are pushing for a change in policy in the coverage of hemodialysis treatment because we see that the current policy is still not enough. Most of patients are still burdened with out-of-pocket expenses due to the still somehow limited benefits offered to our members and their dependents," he said.
Currently, Bacareza said PhilHealth members and their dependents suffering from kidney diseases can avail only of up to 90 sessions per year with a P2,500 case rate amount per session.
A patient with kidney disease, however, needs to undergo hemodialysis treatment thrice a week, or some 144 sessions in one year.
With the allowable sessions at only 90 per year, the patient would need to pay for some 54 sessions a year.
"Although 114 sessions will still not be enough to cover all the sessions of our members undergoing hemodialysis treatment, we are still positive that the change in policy will help lessen their financial burden," he said.
With the increase in the number of sessions covered to 114, a patient would need to pay for only 30 hemodialysis sessions a year.
While the measure is still under study, Bacareza rallied Governor Lilia Pineda, who is known for her implementation of comprehensive health measures, and all local officials and PhilHealth members in the region to show their support.
"The voice of the people and our local officials will play a big role in this development we are proposing and hopefully we can help each other help our fellow Filipinos who are suffering kidney diseases," he said.
