PhilHealth Expands Coverage for Rehab, Mental Health, Heart Care

Millions of Filipinos now have greater access to physical rehabilitation services, assistive mobility devices, and heart attack treatments through new PhilHealth benefit packages.

The expanded coverage was developed through a partnership between the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The initiative aims to enhance quality of life for persons with disabilities while ensuring financial risk protection for patients nationwide.

The new packages were informed by research led by Dr. Josephine Bundoc of Physicians for Peace Philippines, supported through PhilHealth STUDIES—a program that promotes universal health care through evidence-based policy and data-driven reforms.

Previously, PhilHealth’s Z Benefits Package focused on rehabilitation for stroke and heart attack patients and outpatient care for children with disabilities.

The new benefit package significantly expands access to essential services and devices, including initial, follow-up, and discharge assessments, rehabilitation therapies, assistive devices, lab tests, diagnostics, and medications.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, around 12 percent of Filipinos aged 15 and older suffer from severe disabilities, reinforcing the urgency of accessible healthcare solutions.

Covered rehabilitation services now include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and psychological support.

Assistive mobility devices—such as wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and walkers—are also covered to help patients regain independence and improve daily functioning.

To guide implementation, PhilHealth issued Circular 2025-0003, which outlines service standards, provider requirements, referral systems, and reimbursement rates, based on data gathered from the PhilHealth STUDIES project.

“Research is essential in crafting health policies and programs that address real-world needs of persons with disabilities,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya.

“The PhilHealth STUDIES Program bridges health policymakers with research that enhances healthcare accessibility for Filipinos,” he added.

Beyond rehabilitation, the program also contributed to new benefit packages for mental health and heart disease.

One of these is the Outpatient Benefit Package for Mental Health, developed with technical support from Dr. Lester Sam Geroy of the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes.

Launched through PhilHealth Circular 2023-0018, the package includes general and specialty mental health services.

Patients may receive up to PHP9,000 annually for general services—including screenings, diagnostics, psychoeducation, and 12 follow-up visits—along with access to Department of Health-provided medicines.

For specialty services, coverage reaches PHP16,000 per year and includes psychotherapy, diagnostics, and follow-ups with psychiatrists, neurologists, or psychologists.

To address the high cost of treating heart attacks, Dr. Geroy’s team also supported the development of the Benefit Package for Ischemic Heart Disease–Acute Myocardial Infarction.

This includes four sub-packages: percutaneous coronary intervention (PHP523,853), fibrinolysis (PHP133,500), emergency medical services with interfacility transfer (PHP21,900), and cardiac rehabilitation (PHP66,140), as detailed in PhilHealth Circular 2024-0032.

These new packages—covering physical medicine, assistive mobility, mental health, and ischemic heart disease—were featured during the DOST-PCHRD’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference held June 11, 2025.

During the event, PhilHealth and DOST-PCHRD representatives updated the media on the development, rollout, and impact of the healthcare packages under the PhilHealth STUDIES initiative.

“Through evidence-based health policy reforms, PhilHealth and DOST-PCHRD remain committed to making healthcare more accessible,” said Dr. Montoya.

“By expanding support for persons with disabilities and patients with critical health conditions, we reinforce the belief that quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” he added.