PhilHealth expands benefit packages to reduce out-of-pocket expenses

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) plans to broaden its benefit packages to cover more Filipinos, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses from 47 percent to 25 percent.

Effective February 14, 2025, PhilHealth will expand benefits to include preventive oral health services, outpatient emergency care, and pediatric optometric services.

The new oral care package will cover P1,000 annually for up to two visits, including assessments and cleanings, at government dental clinics and hospitals.

While government facilities will not charge patients for these oral care services, private providers may require out-of-pocket expenses ranging from P1,500 to P1,600.

PhilHealth will also include adults as beneficiaries of coverage for wheelchairs and other assistive devices, with potential coverage of up to P40,000 for motorized wheelchairs.

The state insurer aims to expand financial aid to over 116 million members through its improvement plan covering 2025 until 2026.