KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has expanded access to life-saving heart treatments in the SOCCSKSARGEN region with the introduction of Z benefit packages. These packages will make open-heart surgeries and treatments for valvular heart disease (VHD) more affordable and accessible for patients in the area.
This development follows a recent memorandum of agreement (MOA) between PhilHealth and St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc. (SEHI) in General Santos City. The agreement allows SEHI to offer PhilHealth’s Z benefit packages for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries and valvular heart disease treatments.
PhilHealth’s Z benefit packages aim to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families by covering high-cost medical procedures, including kidney transplants, CABG surgeries, and cancer treatments.
Dr. Hector Zenon Leonardo P. Malate, regional vice president of PhilHealth, emphasized the significance of this partnership in extending essential healthcare services to a wider population.
“This agreement with St. Elizabeth Hospital reinforces our commitment to providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare benefits to our members in Region 12 and nearby regions. We believe it will make a positive impact on many lives,” Dr. Malate stated.
Through this collaboration, PhilHealth members and their eligible dependents can now access crucial heart care services at SEHI, with the health insurance covering the expenses as outlined in the Z benefit packages.
The Z benefit package for CABG provides up to P960,000 in coverage, which includes pre-operative assessments, surgery, post-operative care, and follow-up consultations.
For valvular heart disease, the package for both adults and children offers coverage of up to P810,000. This includes heart valve repair and/or replacement, along with comprehensive care from initial evaluation through to post-operative management.
Antonio G. Veneracion, CEO of SEHI, called the collaboration a significant step forward in making healthcare more accessible to Filipinos, describing it as an honor to be part of this effort.
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