PhilHealth hikes benefits for neonatal sepsis, bronchial asthma

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has increased its benefit packages for neonatal sepsis and bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation. PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma R. Ledesma Jr. (holding microphone) said the corporation enhanced the current packages for both diseases as they lead to death and confinment among Filipinos during the 2nd Kapihan with Media in Max’s Restaurant, Pasig City on Tuesday (May 28, 2024). “According to the World Health Organization, neonatal sepsis is responsible for three out of 10 neonatal deaths globally. In 2023, more than 57,000 case(s) were paid by PhilHealth in the amount of PHP733.86 million,” Ledesma said. “Asthma remains to be a high-burden disease in the country, despite medical advancements in the treatment of this condition. Based on our 2023 data, asthma ranks eighth in top medical confinements we have paid for with more than PHP717 million for more than 90,000 confinement cases.” (PNA photos by Ben Briones)

MANILA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has increased its benefit packages for neonatal sepsis and bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation.

In a media forum on Tuesday, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma said the corporation enhanced the current packages for both diseases as they lead to death and confinement among Filipinos.

“According to the World Health Organization, neonatal sepsis is responsible for three out of 10 neonatal deaths globally. In 2023, more than 57,000 case(s) were paid by PhilHealth in the amount of PHP733.86 million,” Ledesma said.

“Asthma remains to be a high-burden disease in the country, despite medical advancements in the treatment of this condition. Based on our 2023 data, asthma ranks eighth in top medical confinements we have paid for with more than PHP717 million for more than 90,000 confinement cases.”

The PhilHealth issued implementing guidelines for the two benefit packages through Circular Nos. 2024-0008 and 2024-0009.

PhilHealth Benefits Development and Research Development senior manager Melanie Santillan said the benefit package for neonatal sepsis increased by 120 percent from PHP11,700 to PHP25,793 while the coverage for bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation increased by 150 percent from PHP9,000 to PHP22,488.

Santillan said they have covered a total of 747,121 claims for neonatal sepsis amounting to PHP9.66 billion from 2014 to 2023.

The state-insurer also paid PHP9.208 billion for 1,119,861 claims for bronchial asthma during the same period, she added.

“For neonatal sepsis, the new rates shall apply to levels 1 to 3 accredited health facility. Blood culture results are needed, CBC (complete blood count) and C-reactive protein, if with negative blood culture result,” she said.

“For bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation, the new rates shall apply to levels 1 to 3 accredited health facility, and complete history and physical examination in claim form 4.

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All admissions due to neonatal sepsis and bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation are entitled to the new package rates effective May 1, 2024.