Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) plans to include prescription eyeglasses and mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs of its members starting next year.
The consesus was disclosed by Rep. Erwin Tulfo of ACT-CIS party-list on Sunday, September 22, indicating the implementation shall take effect starting January 2025.
As per the discussion, House Speaker Martin Romualdez asked the PhilHealth officials to agree in shouldering the costs of the additional health and mobility aids.
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PhilHealth president Manny Ledesma answered the request saying they need at least until January to develop the program's mechanics in order to roll it out nationwide.
He added that the program is not yet finalized and they will study how members can avail of the new benefit, and establish which optical centers, drug stores or pharmaceutical centers can distribute them.
Romualdez was said to be regularly receiving requests from seniors and persons with disability (PWDs) for wheelchairs, however, he sought more coverage including eyeglasses, crutches, and walkers.
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Romualdez reiterated that the programs aims to lift seniors and PWDs with their financial burden of trying to afford these devices especially that without these tools, their mobility will always be challenged.
Currently, seniors are receiving a safety net from PhilHealth, which offers a variety of benefits including outpatient and inpatient treatment, Z benefits, and SDG related benefits. Depending on their condition, seniors are eligible to special case rates discounts on hospital bills, which include costs for lodging, board, and medical services.
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Meanwhile, PWDs are receiving various benefits from PhilHealth including the Z Benefits for Mobility, Orthosis, Rehabilitation, and Prosthesis Help Package, which is available in a number of Central Luzon healthcare facilities and allows PWDs to receive a prosthesis worth up to P135,000.
A benefit package worth P3,626 to P5,276 is available for children with developmental problems. It includes rehabilitation therapy sessions, an evaluation and plan, and a discharge assessment and scheme.
Moreover, PWDs on dialysis could receive P2,600 for each of the 156 sessions they endure annually, assuming they follow the required three sessions per week of treatment.
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In addition to the P9,000 coverage for general mental health care, there is a P16,000 benefit package for specialty mental health services that can be utilized annually.
After registering with a "Konsulta" provider, PWDs can also take advantage of the PhilHealth sa Primary Care Benefit "Konsultasyon Sulit at Tama" program, which allows them to receive free consultations at least once a year, as well as discounted access to 21 certain prescriptions and medicines.
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