PhilHealth benefits improved under the Marcos Jr. administration
CLAIM: State insurer PhilHealth increased coverage benefits for severe illnesses under the Marcos Jr. government.
RATING: True
In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tackled healthcare, focusing on the rising costs of medicines and treatments. He cited significant improvements in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. benefits for patients with severe illnesses.
“Bilang tugon sa dumaraming insidente at tumataas na presyo ng pagpapagamot, itinaas na ng Philhealth nang mahigit doble ang mga benepisyo para sa mga malulubhang karamdaman, tulad ng acute stroke at pulmonya,” Marcos said.
From P28,000, the limit for acute stroke and high-risk pneumonia coverage was increased to P76,000 and P90,000, respectively.
This change is detailed in PhilHealth Circular No. 2023-0021, signed by PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma on Oct. 25, 2023, and Circular No. 2024-0005, which implemented a 30-percent increase in all PhilHealth benefits.
Marcos also addressed advancements in cancer care, citing a 1,000-percent increase in benefits, medications, and treatments for breast cancer.
“Ang dating limit na P100,000, ngayon ay ginawa na nating P1.4 million,” he said.
PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0007, known as the Benefits Package for Breast Cancer, details this increase. It enhanced the coverage of services and treatments for breast cancer patients. Ella Mae A. Sison
