Herbosa eyes including ultrasound, mammogram for PhilHealth benefit

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to expand the primary care benefits under its Konsulta package and include ultrasound and mammogram services. 

Herbosa, who chairs the PhilHealth Board of Directors, made the call following the order of Speaker Martin Romualdez for a congressional review of PhilHealth’s charter to expand the coverage of benefits for its members.

Romualdez earlier said that the state health insurer should at least cover 50% of the cost of treatment in private hospitals, as well as provide free medical examinations for the detection of deadly diseases such as cancer.

“The DOH agrees with Speaker Romualdez. Following orders of President Marcos, I have directed the PhilHealth Benefits Committee, chaired by Asec. Domingo, to work on adding ultrasound and mammogram services in the current nationwide Konsulta benefit package, for immediate implementation nationwide,” Herbosa said in a statement. 

“This will ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early, so that we can unload higher level hospitals within the health care provider network,” he added. 

The PhilHealth Benefits Committee is set to meet on Tuesday afternoon to discuss Herbosa’s order. The PhilHealth Board of Directors is also scheduled for a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 13. —VAL, GMA Integrated News