PhilHealth

PhilHealth’s Expanded Benefits Bring Financial Relief to Dialysis Patients 03-27-2025

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa PhilHealth at nalibre na po lahat. Marami pong natutulungan na kapwa ko nagda-dialysis," said Victoria M. Lanuza, a 66-year-old dialysis patient from Lelemaan, Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Victoria has been undergoing hemodialysis for two years, a treatment she started after being diagnosed with diabetes. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to PhilHealth for covering the full cost of her treatment — a support that has greatly benefited many other dialysis patients like her.

This financial relief is due to PhilHealth’s increase in its benefit package rate for Hemodialysis to Php6,350.00 per session, which took effect on October 9, 2024. This expanded coverage aims to ensure no-copayment for Filipinos undergoing Hemodialysis. Filipinos diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 5 and registered in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database (PDD) can now avail of up to 156 hemodialysis sessions per year, which means PhilHealth will now shoulder up to Php990,600.00 in dialysis treatment costs per patient annually.

Jenilyn Sebastian, 34 years old dialysis patient from Flores, San Manuel, Pangasinan also thanked PhilHealth, noting that the enhancement has enabled her to receive regular injections without financial burden. “Hindi na po kami magbabayad, pati yung mga laboratory hindi na rin, lalong-lalo na po yung Ipo (Ipotein) na minsan tinitipid na rin po naming yung pag-inject namin kasi mahal po siya dati”, she said.

PhilHealth's enhanced coverage now includes essential support for patients such as drugs and medicines for anemia management and anticoagulation, laboratory tests, medical supplies, and administrative costs ensuring patients like Jenilyn receive the care they need without financial hardship.

This financial support extends beyond dialysis sessions as PhilHealth also provides 45 days annual benefit specifically for hospital confinements, offering additional relief for patients who require frequent hospitalization due to complications or other related health concerns. “Malaking tulong po talaga samin ang PhilHealth, ganun na rin po kapag nacoconfine din po ako, malaking kabawasan din po yung PhilHealth po sa akin kaya maraming salamat po”, said Maricel D. Alcaide, 39 years old dialysis patient from Rosario, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.

Through the enhanced benefits for Hemodialysis, PhilHealth continues to provide much-needed support to dialysis patients, helping ease their financial burdens and improving their access to essential healthcare.