CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured the public that it will cover hospitalization costs for leptospirosis and dengue, two common conditions affecting Filipinos during the rainy season.
In a statement released by President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr., PhilHealth announced that coverage for dengue hemorrhagic fever and severe dengue is currently set at P13,000 and P16,000, respectively, while coverage for leptospirosis is P14,300.
Ledesma emphasized that these benefits are available year-round and can be availed by anyone hospitalized for these conditions at any accredited health facility nationwide.
“Aside from dengue and leptospirosis, your PhilHealth is aggressively enhancing the other benefit packages to provide adequate financial risk protection to all our kababayans. Asahan po ninyo ang patuloy na pagbuti ng mga benepisyo bilang bahagi ng aming programang Pinalawak at mga Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamayang Pilipino,” said Ladesma.
For the first quarter of 2024, PhilHealth has paid over P14.7 million for leptospirosis claims and more than P1 billion for both hemorrhagic and severe dengue.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 2,115 leptospirosis cases from January to July 2024, while dengue cases nationwide have affected 208,965 Filipinos as of September 6, 2024.
Ledesma reiterated that these benefits are available year-round and can be accessed by anyone hospitalized for these conditions at any accredited health facility nationwide.
He also mentioned that if there are missed payments on the part of the member, these can be settled after the patient has availed the benefits. “Ang mahalaga ay nagamot muna ang pasyente at nagamit ang benepisyo. Ito po ang esensiya ng UHC,” he explained.
In Central Visayas, PhilHealth-7 has paid a total of P81.5 million for over 7,000 benefit claims related to dengue cases received from January to August this year. Meanwhile, no benefit claims for leptospirosis have been received during this period.
Moreover, according to a recent article from The Freeman dated September 1, dengue cases in Central Visayas have reached 15,394 with 35 deaths—the highest number from Cebu Province—from January to August this year.
Cebu Province recorded a total of 4,592 dengue cases. Bohol, however, reported the highest number of dengue cases with 5,165 cases and 11 deaths.
In Negros Oriental, 2,695 dengue cases were recorded with six deaths, while Siquijor reported 637 cases but no deaths.
Cebu City logged 1,363 cases with three deaths, and Mandaue City recorded one death among 437 cases. Lapu-Lapu City reported 504 dengue cases with no deaths.
Regarding leptospirosis, Central Visayas recorded four fatalities between January 1, 2024, and June 15. The victims were all from Cebu: two from Cebu City, one from Mandaue City, and one from Daanbantayan.
Ledesma also announced a recently board-approved increase in the package for severe dengue hemorrhagic fever from P16,000 to P47,000, which will take effect soon after the policy is issued.
“We continue to remind our members that they are supposed to enjoy [their] benefits prior to discharge from the facility, even if one has concerns on their contributions,” Ledesma noted.
“Ito po ay garantiya ng batas kaya dapat i-observe ng lahat lalo na sa mga hospital," he added.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water-borne diseases are caused by water contamination, a major risk factor associated with flooding. Meanwhile, the incidence of vector-borne diseases increases due to stagnant water, which serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes. (FREEMAN)