The Philippine Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced on Friday, Feb. 23, its plan in expanding the Z-Package coverage for breast cancer treatment.
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said the coverage will increase significantly from its previous amount of P100,000 to P1.4 million.
"Dati kasi ay P100,000 ito, at parang pinagtatawanan nila 'yung ganitong halaga on how far that can reach (Previously, it was P100,000, and it seemed like they were mocking such an amount on how far it could go)," stated Ledesma, emphasizing the need for more substantial coverage to address the financial burdens faced by patients.
"It has already been approved; we will launch it once na may guidelines na,” he said in a press briefing.
Additionally, the PhilHealth chief emphasized that this adjustment marks a significant stride in ensuring better healthcare support for individuals battling this prevalent disease.
Moreover, Ledesma noted the positive reception received by PhilHealth's initiatives in the past year, particularly in increasing coverage for conditions such as hemorrhagic, ischemic, and pneumonia cases.
The applause from the public underscores the tangible impact of these policy adjustments on the lives of Filipinos, he said.
"This is from P100,000 to P1.4 million, and breast cancer affects everyone, so that's a 14-fold increase," remarked Ledesma, illustrating the significant enhancement in coverage.
He further assured the public that this initiative is just one among many of PhilHealth's ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for all Filipinos.
Ledesma added that PhilHealth remains committed to implementing various plans and benefits geared toward enhancing the overall welfare of the Filipino populace.
He noted that the increased Z-Package coverage for breast cancer signifies a crucial step forward in PhilHealth's mission to provide comprehensive and inclusive healthcare services to every Filipino in need.