Contraceptive Implants Package Now Available To PhilHealth Members — Padilla

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has said that its members who are keen on family planning may now avail themselves of the sub dermal contraceptive implants package offered in PhilHealth-accredited health facilities.

Subdermal implant is a form of contraceptive, wherein a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick is inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm.

This prevents pregnancy for up to three years after it releases a hormone called progestin.

Based on PhilHealth Circular No. 038-2015 signed last Dec. 17, 2015 by PhilHealth President and CEO Atty. Alexander Padilla, the PhilHealth has allocated P3,000 per case of women availing of the subdermal contraceptive implant package.

The circular has taken effect since Jan. 1, 2016.

“The package may be availed of as an out-patient or in-patient service in hospitals and non-hospital facilities with the same case rate,” Padilla said.

The P3,000 allocation is composed of the P1,800 healthcare institution fee and the P1,200 professional fee.

The package covers consultation and counselling prior to the procedure, performance of the procedure, medicine and supplies, and follow-up and counselling after the procedure.

Eligible to provide the package are PhilHealth-accredited hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, ambulatory surgical clinics, and birthing homes/lying-in clinics.

Allowed to perform the procedure are trained physicians and midwives.

However, PhilHealth said the package may only be availed of once every two years or 730 days.

“Claims made less than the said time interval shall be denied,” PhilHealth added.

According to PhilHealth, the package is established in order to increase the public’s accessibility to the said contraceptive.

“To increase access to long acting reversible family planning methods, PhilHealth shall have a benefit package for sub dermal implant used for contraception,” the PhilHealth president said. (PNA) SCS/LSJ