PhilHealth's unlimited dialysis treatment ends by Sept. 15

The unlimited dialysis through PhilHealth will end after September 15, once the six-month declaration of state of calamity over the country is lifted amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Photo credit: today.mims.com

On March 17, President Rodrigo Duterte, placed the entire Philippines under a state of calamity to allow the government to tap more funds to contain the spread of COVID-19. PhilHealth said during the pandemic, it offered unlimited dialysis treatments to members. The service has helped alleviate the burden among Filipinos who’ve been struggling from dealing with the impacts of the health, social, and political crises in the country.

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) circular stated that the declaration of the state of calamity, the 90 dialysis sessions limit for each PhilHealth member has been temporarily erased. It means that even if patients have used up their free dialysis during the period, PhilHealth is obligated to pay for the additional sessions.

Kung ma-exhaust na nila ‘yung kanilang cap, ‘yung 45 o 90 days. Hangga’t tayo po ay nasa pandemya, kung sila ay mangangailangan ng dialysis, sila ay makaka-avail pa rin ng benefit, 

PhilHealth spokesperson Rey Baleña said.

[If they have exhausted their cap, the 45 or 90 days, as long as we are in pandemic, if they needed dialysis, they will still be able to avail the benefit.]

Baleña added that any PhilHealth member who paid for dialysis during the state of calamity maybe reimbursed as long as they can provide receipts. 

Baka hindi lang aware ‘yung dialysis center kasi alam talaga nila na up to 90 days. Pero kapag may ganito tayong situations na under fortuitous event, may special privilege tayong in-extend sa mga miyembro, 

Baleña said.

[The dialysis center may not be aware because they really know that it is up to 90 days only. However, when we have situations that are under fortuitous event, we have a special privilege extended to members,]

As the free dialysis sessions will only last until September 15, patients and their families have appealed for it to continue after the state of calamity has been lifted.