The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced on Wednesday, June 5, that the expanded benefits for neonatal sepsis and bronchial asthma are available in Levels 1 to 3 accredited healthcare facilities.

In a public briefing on PTV's Bagong Pilipinas segment, PhilHealth Acting Vice President of the Corporate Affairs Group Rey Baleña, emphasized that these benefit packages can be availed at accredited health care facilities, whether public or private, at the specified levels.

However, he clarified that "if the patient is confined or admitted for neonatal sepsis or bronchial asthma, in primary care facilities, meaning in lower-level facilities, our old rates will still apply to them."

Baleña reminded the public to ensure that the health facility they choose is accredited by PhilHealth.

This is because "first, the quality of service. Secondly, we can be sure that the PhilHealth benefits will be utilized," the official said.

He also emphasized that these expanded benefits are open to all Filipino members of PhilHealth as long as they are genuinely needed by the patient who will be hospitalized or admitted for these conditions.

Implemented since May 1, PhilHealth initiated further enhancements to two existing benefit packages, specifically targeting neonatal sepsis and bronchial asthma.

This initiative aligns with PhilHealth Circulars 2024-0008 and 0009, which detail the implementation guidelines for these two case rate packages.

"Just in the case of neonatal sepsis, it increased by 120 percent from the previous P11,700 benefits. Our PhilHealth board approved it to be P25,793," Baleña said.

"While for bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation, it increased by 150 percent. Previously it was only P9,000, now it's P22,488," he added.