Seeking to enhance healthcare coverage and ensure continued access to services, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has lifted the 45-day benefit limit for its members.

The decision, made by the PhilHealth Board of Directors, is part of ongoing reforms to improve the government’s social health insurance program. 

Officials stated that the 45-day limit was an outdated cost-containment strategy that no longer aligns with current healthcare needs and payment mechanisms.

PhilHealth has previously expanded benefits for certain conditions, such as increasing the number of covered hemodialysis sessions from 90 to 156 annually. 

The removal of the 45-day cap extends this approach, allowing patients to receive care beyond the previous restrictions.

The PhilHealth Board, the highest governing body of the corporation, is composed of ex-officio members from key government agencies, expert panel members with medical and financial backgrounds, and sectoral representatives from various groups, including healthcare providers and employers.

Officials emphasized that this policy update aligns with the Universal Health Care Act, which mandates PhilHealth to fund individual-based services.