The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has reassured the public that it provides coverage for hospitalizations related to leptospirosis and dengue --- which are both prevalent among Filipinos during the rainy season.

In a statement, PhilHealth said the benefit packages for dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are currently set at P13,000 and P16,000, respectively, while the coverage for leptospirosis amounts to P14,300.

“During the rainy season, it is observed that there is an increase in the prevalence of water- and vector-borne communicable diseases,” PhilHealth said.

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), PhilHealth noted that water-borne diseases are caused by water contamination, a major risk factor associated with flooding.

“On the other hand, the incidence of vector-borne diseases increases due to stagnant water that serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes,” PhilHealth added.

Citing records from the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth noted there were 2,115 recorded leptospirosis cases from January to July 2024. Meanwhile, dengue cases nationwide have affected 208,965 Filipinos as of Sept. 6.

PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. assured the public that these benefits are available year-round and can be availed by anyone hospitalized for these conditions at any accredited health facility nationwide.

“Aside from dengue and leptospirosis, your PhilHealth is aggressively enhancing other benefit packages to provide adequate financial risk protection to all our kababayans (countrymen),” Ledesma said.

Ledesma announced the recently board-approved increase of its package for severe dengue hemorrhagic fever from P16,000 to P47,000, which will take effect soon after the issuance of the policy.

He also highlighted that under the Universal Health Care Law, all Filipinos are automatically entitled to these benefits.

“We continue to remind our members that they are entitled to enjoy their benefits prior to discharge from the facility, even if they have concerns about their contributions,” Ledesma said. “Ito po ay garantiya ng batas kaya dapat i-observe ng lahat, lalo na sa mga ospital (This is guaranteed by law, so it must be observed by everyone, especially in hospitals),” he added.

Ledesma also noted that if there are missed payments on the part of the member, these can be settled after the patient has enjoyed the benefits. “Ang mahalaga ay nagamot muna ang pasyente at nagamit ang benepisyo. Ito po ang esensiya ng UHC (What’s important is that the patient receives treatment and can use the benefits. This is the essence of UHC),” he explained.

For the first half of 2024, PhilHealth said it has paid over P14.7 million for leptospirosis claims and more than P1 billion for hemorrhagic and severe dengue.