ASIDE from providing persons with disabilities (PWDs) with mandatory coverage, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is also looking to offer them with packages that are unique to their needs.
In a statement, PhilHealth Acting President and chief executive officer Dr. Roy Ferrer said they will develop exclusive packages that will address PWDs’ specific health and developmental needs.
“We intend to build on these existing benefits to expand their portfolio to all PWDs based on their unique health care needs,” said Ferrer.
“The public can expect the introduction of special benefits for PWDs in due time,” he added.
The move came after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11228, which provides for the mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all PWDs.
The law, which took effect last March 19, also mandates PhilHealth to develop exclusive packages that will address PWDs’ specific health and developmental needs.
But even prior to the passage of RA 11228, Ferrer said PhilHealth already introduced in 2013 its special benefits for mobility, orthosis, rehabilitation, prosthesis help or Z Morph to assist PWDs in need of lower limb prostheses.
In 2014, it was expanded to include selected orthopedic implants, such as total and partial hip prostheses, and implants for hip fixation, among others.
In the same year, PhilHealth further upped the ante for PWDs with the inclusion of upper limb prostheses, orthoses and orthoprostheses, among others.
In the latter part of 2018, Ferrer also said they introduced Z benefits for children with mobility impairment, developmental disabilities, and visual and hearing impairments.
The PhilHealth chief said they are already expediting the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to enable the government to fully implement the law.
“PhilHealth is actively consulting with concerned stakeholders in crafting the IRR,” assured Ferrer. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)