PhilHealth Extends Hemodialysis Coverage

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) extended its coverage for hemodialysis from 90 to 144 sessions starting August 3, 2022.

PhilHealth members and dependents with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD) and who are registered in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database will be able to avail of the said extension of the hemodialysis coverage.

PhilHealth, however, clarified the stipulations of the said extended coverage.

“The 91st to 144th sessions shall be exclusively used for outpatient dialysis only and any unused sessions will not be carried over to the calendar year 2023,” PhilHealth said in a press release.

Furthermore, PhilHealth also said that CKD patients who already used their extended hemodialysis coverage but were not able to avail the automatic deductions on their medical bills can still file their claims at the nearest PhilHealth Regional/Branch Office or Local Health Insurance Offices.

“Also reiterated in the guidelines is the application of the No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy wherein no other fees or expenses shall be charged or be paid for by qualified patients above and beyond the packaged rates as per PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-0017. Eligible of the NBB policy are Indigent, Sponsored, registered Kasambay, Senior Citizen, and Lifetime members when availing benefits in government health care institutions,” PhilHealth added. (ASC)