PhilHealth

PhilHealth welcomes first Outpatient Mental Health Package Provider in Central Luzon 02-29-2024

Mariveles, Bataan – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) signed a contract with Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH) on February 29, 2024, which made the latter the first accredited outpatient mental health benefits provider in Central Luzon, second to the National Center for Mental Health which is based in Metro Manila.

Among those present during the contract signing were Dr. Rowena Zabat-San Mateo, Acting Branch Manager of PhilHealth Regional Office III-Branch B (PRO) III-B; Dr. Dennis Dayao L. Ordoña, Medical Center Chief of MMWGH; Dr. Ana Marie Luz Cheryl Acejo, Head of Healthcare Delivery and Management Division, PRO III-B; Edmond M. Manuel, Head of PhilHealth Bataan; Dr. Maria Lourdes L. Evangelista, Former Medical Center Chief of MMWGH; Vincent Isip, and Atty. Catherine Vera of MMWGH. With this, MMWGH has been accredited to provide Outpatient Mental Health Benefits Package Benefits Package for mental health patients in the area and nearby provinces.

Bataan Board Members George Estanislao and Angel Sunga, together with some 100 attendees from MMWGH, representatives of Jose B. Lingad General Hospital, Talavera Hospital, Municipal Health Units, and PhilHealth officers and staff, witnessed the momentous event, which is part of Universal Health Care (UHC) milestones and PhilHealth’s 29th Anniversary activities with the theme, “Damang-dama ko ang Benepisyo”. The Provincial Government of Bataan championed implementation of UHC and PhilHealth programs for the benefit of all Bataeños and residents of nearby provinces.

According to Department of Health data, in 2020, 3.6 million had mental, neurological, or substance abuse disorders, prompting PhilHealth to introduce a benefit package for mental health services. Various mental health conditions can be effectively treated at relatively low cost, yet health systems remain significantly under-resourced and treatment gaps remain all over the world.

Anyone can experience mental health challenges, regardless of economic status, age, gender, geographic location, and other societal factors. In its efforts to realize UHC, PhilHealth expanded its benefit programs to include treatment and care for mental health patients. This aims to manage, if not prevent, depression, psychosis, and child and adolescent mental and behavioral disorders, epilepsy, and other mental health conditions.

PhilHealth offers General Mental Health Service Package at P9,000 per year, while its Specialty Mental Health Service Package covers patients for P16,000 yearly. The General Package includes screening, assessment, diagnostics, follow-up visits, psychoeducation, psychosocial support, and medicines included in the Medicine Access Program of Department of Health for mental health.

On the other hand, Specialty Package covers assessment, specialist diagnostics, follow-up visits, medicines included in the Medicine Access Program of Department of Health for mental health, and psychotherapy. PhilHealth reminds that those 10 years and older can avail of benefits for psychiatric cases, while there is no age limit for neurological cases.

PhilHealth, in active collaboration and partnership with DOH, aims to accredit Primary Care Facilities, Rural Health Units (RHU), Barangay Health Stations, Level 2 and 3 hospitals, Custodial Care Facilities, Primary Care Physicians, and Specialists as package providers to ensure greater accessibility to patients.

Apart from the new benefit, PhilHealth extends inpatient benefits for Mental Health which include cases for dementia, bipolar, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders under Mental and Behavioral Disorders amounting to P7,800.

Also present during the Contract Signing were Dr. Analee Y. Reyes, Head of Accreditation and Quality Assurance Section; Maria Fleurdeliz Heriberta Dallo, Head of PhilHealth Tarlac; Leny Fajardo, Head of PhilHealth Olongapo; Anabelle I. Bautista, Planning Officer of PRO III-A; Ria Faye Tabud of Office of the Vice President-PRO III; support team from PRO III-A, PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Offices Bataan, San Fernando, and Angeles; and the author.

By: Monifer S. Bansil, Head-Public Affairs Unit

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