Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday, March 12 issued a directive to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to bolster the primary care benefits offered through its “Konsulta” benefit package across the country.
In line with President Marcos' instructions, Herbosa has directed PhilHealth's Benefits Committee (Bencom) to include ultrasound and mammogram services in the current package.
"I have directed the PhilHealth Benefits Committee, chaired by Asec. Domingo, to work on adding ultrasound and mammogram services to the current nationwide Konsulta benefit package, for immediate implementation nationwide," he noted.
"This initiative aligns with our commitment to sustainable financing of preventive health services," he added.
"By providing coverage for essential screening services, we aim to alleviate the burden on higher-level hospitals within our healthcare provider network," he also said.
The DOH emphasized that the decision follows calls from Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and other lawmakers, including ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, for PhilHealth to subsidize hospital bills in private wards and to extend coverage to primary care screening services.
The PhilHealth Bencom, chaired by OIC Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Albert Edralin Domingo, is set to convene on Tuesday afternoon, March 12 to discuss the implementation details.
This will be followed by a regular meeting of the PhilHealth Board of Directors on Wednesday, March 13.
Moreover, Domingo, representing Chairman Herbosa on the PhilHealth Board of Directors, affirmed the statement, citing compliance with President Marcos Jr.'s directives and Speaker Romualdez's request, as confirmed by the DOH.