PhilHealth to add mammogram, ultrasound in Konsulta packages

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (PNA file photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has instructed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include mammograms and ultrasound in its Konsulta Packages nationwide.

“I have directed the PhilHealth Benefits Committee, chaired by Assistant Secretary Domingo, to work on adding ultrasound and mammogram services in the current nationwide Konsulta benefit package, for immediate implementation nationwide,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement on Tuesday.

Herbosa said the move would “ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early”.

“So that we can unload higher level hospitals within the health care provider network,” he added.

In February, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo called on PhilHealth to provide mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests for all female members of PhilHealth since breast cancer is one of the top causes of death among Filipinos.

PhilHealth increased its benefit package for the treatment of breast cancer from PHP100,000 to PHP1.4 million last month.