PhilHealth expands coverage for dengue, leptospirosis patients

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured the public that it continues to cover hospitalization costs for leptospirosis and dengue, two diseases that commonly surge during the rainy season.

This comes as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,115 leptospirosis cases from January to July 2024 and 208,965 dengue cases nationwide as of September 6.

PhilHealth’s current benefit packages for dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are set at P13,000 and P16,000, respectively, while the package for leptospirosis amounts to P14,300.

These rates help ease the financial burden on Filipinos who may need hospitalization due to these common illnesses.

PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing year-round support to patients suffering from these diseases.

“Asahan po ninyo ang patuloy na pagbuti ng mga benepisyo bilang bahagi ng aming programang Pinalawak at mga Bagong Benepisyo para sa Mamayang Pilipino,” he said, noting the ongoing efforts to improve and expand benefit packages for all members.

One major update is the board-approved increase of the benefit package for severe dengue hemorrhagic fever from P16,000 to P47,000, which will take effect once the policy is finalized.

The expansion is part of PhilHealth’s broader mission under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law to provide more comprehensive financial protection for Filipinos.

“We continue to remind our members that they are supposed to enjoy your benefits prior to discharge from the facility, even if one has concerns on their contributions,” Ledesma emphasized. He added that even if members have missed payments, they are still eligible for benefits, which can be settled after receiving care. “Ang mahalaga ay nagamot muna ang pasyente at nagamit ang benepisyo. Ito po ang esensiya ng UHC,” he explained.

For the first half of 2024 alone, PhilHealth has disbursed over P14.7 million for leptospirosis claims and more than P1 billion for both hemorrhagic and severe dengue cases.

The increase in dengue and leptospirosis cases during the rainy season is tied to environmental factors such as flooding, which contributes to water contamination, and stagnant water, which provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

PhilHealth encourages the public to contact their 24/7 hotline for further inquiries about benefits and services.