In dire times of need, we the public would need the help of different agencies, both public and private. With the fast-spread of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), thousands, if not millions of people from all over the globe went frantic.
Here in the country, a lot of government agencies, as well as private companies are working hand-in-hand to eradicate the virus. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), will work to shoulder the hospital expenses of all COVID-19 patients.
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Ricardo Morales, PhilHealth Chief said that PhilHealth will be paying for all the medical expenses of all people who would be infected by the COVID-19.
Babayaran ng PhilHealth and lahat ng medical expenses ng mga taong magkakaroon ng COVID-19, especially ‘yung ating mga public health workers. Gusto nating bigyan sila ng confidence saka peace of mind para silay makapagfocus sa trabaho.”
In Translation: PhilHealth will be paying for all the medical expenses of people who would be infected by the COVID-19; especially our public health medical workers because they’re the people with the most interactions in a day. We want to give them the peace of mind, as well as the confidence so they could focus more on the job the are doing.
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The Philippines and the COVID-19
As of writing, there are a total of 707 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in the country with a total of 45 fatalities and 28 recoveries. This is a sign that this disease should be more focused on by our government as well as the communities and the families in the country.
Days back, there were only about 200+ confirmed cases; after a few days, it spiked up to 700+.
When it first started a few weeks ago, the entire island of Luzon has been placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to successfully contain and keep the virus at bay. This triggered a lot of violent reactions from people who need to be out. This was declared by our dearest President Rodrigo Duterte and it shall be effective for six (6) months; unless, of course, it’s extended or shortened.
If you are infected or if you know someone who is, don’t panic. PhilHealth will shoulder COVID-19 patients’ hospital expenses to help with their finances. To add to what Morales mentioned, he said that COVID-19 patients no longer have to worry about being treated – PhilHealth will be the ones to help them with that.
Wala silang aalalahanin kung sila po ay magkakasakit sasagutin ng PhilHealth lahat ng kanilang medical expenses. This is part of ‘yung P30 billion na kinakasa ng PhilHealth para maka-preposition tayo ng pondo sa mga ospital.”
In Translation: They need not to worry if they’re going to catch the virus because PhilHealth will be taking care of all their medical expenses. This is part of the P30 billion that PhilHealth is giving so that we can re-position funds in hospitals.
To add to what he mentioned, Morales also said that PhilHealth has released a total of P1.6 billion so far to their accredited hospitals with the goals to assist and to help in fighting the virus.
Free COVID-19 testing
Other than the fact that PhilHealth will shoulder COVID-19 patients’ hospital expenses, you can also expect that they will be taking care of the testing of the patients. In a previous article, we discussed that the Philippine Health State Insurer will be helping us by providing free COVID-19 testing.
You can read more about that here: Free 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing; Will be Shouldered by the PhilHealth
This, however, is going to be done if further testing is prescribed and suggested by a health professional.
Patients Under Investigation (PUI)
If the PhilHealth will be shouldering hospital expenses of COVID-19 patients, what about patients under monitoring (PUM); as well as patients under investigation (PUI)? Wouldn’t they be included?
Good news because the PhilHealth just announced that all of the expenses that will transpire for PUIs will also be shouldered by them.
The entire island of Luzon, as well as some provinces, cities, and municipalities have been placed under a State of Calamity. In fact, we are all under an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon which prohibits movement of people.
With the state insurance firm promising that they’ll help us with testing, they also said that they will shoulder COVID-19 patients’ hospital expenses; as well as those who are under investigation.
What do you think of PhilHealth’s decision to help shoulder the expenses of people who have been affected by the COVID-19?
Source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer