THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently featured the Z Benefit Packages for selected Orthopedic Implants and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) during its third Kapihan with the PCEO at The Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City.
The event was led by Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) and attended by media practitioners from various national print, radio and TV stations. Also present were Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, PhilHealth OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group and Dr. Arlene Lamban, Head of Peritoneal Dialysis Unit of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute or NKTI. The NKTI has been PhilHealth's key partner in the government sector in making the benefit for PD possible.
Padilla thanked PhilHealth’s media and medical partners saying that “the latest Z packages for selected orthopedic implants and peritoneal dialysis were developed in collaboration with expert groups and patient-members themselves. Early on, we didn’t cover the cost of the implants, just the procedure but because this hampers a patient’s full recovery, we felt we needed to do something more to be able to help these patients get back on their feet.”
The Z package rate for total hip prosthesis (cemented) for members who are 66 years old and above is P103,400.00 while the Z package rate for total hip prosthesis (cementless) for members who are 65 years and 364 days old and below is worth P169,400.00. For partial hip prosthesis (bipolar), the Z package rate is P73,180.00, inclusive of rates for implants per side, whether left or right, while the Z package rate for hip fixation is at P61,500.00, inclusive of multiple screw fixation 6.5mm cannulated cancellous screws with washer.
The social health insurer also pays for implants needed for pertrochanteric fracture. The Z package rate inclusive of compression hip screw set is worth P69,000.00, while Z package rate inclusive of proximal femoral locked plate is P71,000.00. This Z benefit package, which is inclusive of surgery and implants, are available initially at the Philippine Orthopedic Center.
As for the PD benefit, the PhilHealth Chief said that “we listen to the clamor of our members on this procedure and we hear their voices loud and clear. He also announced that “with the PD package at P 270,000 per year, the elements are all covered and we even increased the package amount to make it more significant for our member indigents. We have to see our patient achieve better health outcomes so that they can go back to society and resume their lives as productive citizens of the country. The mechanism is so designed to encourage patient empowerment.” (END)