Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on Filipinos to take extra precautions as the country faces dangerously high temperatures, emphasizing the importance of accessible healthcare for those affected by heat-related illnesses.
Following his persistent calls for improved medical assistance, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) clarified that its benefits package covers emergency room treatment for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and other heat-induced conditions.
“Sa init ng panahon ngayon, hindi puwedeng mabagal ang aksyon pagdating sa kalusugan ng tao. Kung may nararamdaman, huwag nang maghintay na lumala. Magpagamot agad, at siguraduhin natin na may access ang bawat Pilipino sa serbisyong medikal na dapat namang makuha nila,” urged Senator Go.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go has been pushing for reforms in PhilHealth, ensuring that government funds are used to directly benefit Filipinos in need. One of the key issues he has tackled is the accessibility of emergency care coverage, which PhilHealth has now assured will apply even if patients are not admitted for confinement.
Following Senator Go’s continuous pressure for improved healthcare access, PhilHealth spokesperson Dr. Israel Francis Pargas confirmed that registered members who seek emergency treatment for heat-related illnesses are entitled to benefits, even if they do not require hospitalization.
“Kung merong mga nararamdaman na at may pagkakataon na nahihirapang huminga o may mga pagkakataon na may nahimatay na because sobrang init, puwedeng madala sa emergency room para sa emergency treatment. Kung hindi kinakailangang maospital, tayo ay maaaring makakuha ng benepisyo. Kung registered member, walang hihinging requirements,” he explained.
This assurance comes after confusion regarding PhilHealth’s existing packages, with some members unsure whether emergency room visits alone would be covered.
Senator Go has long been advocating for clearer policies and easier access to benefits, emphasizing that bureaucracy should not be an obstacle to healthcare.
He has repeatedly pressed PhilHealth to implement much-needed reforms, including raising case rate packages, expanding benefits for the most common life-threatening illnesses, and eliminating outdated policies that limit coverage. His persistent appeals led to the long-overdue removal of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, which previously restricted insurance claims if a patient was hospitalized for the same illness within a certain period.
“Taumbayan ang may-ari ng PhilHealth. Hindi puwedeng pahirapan pa ang mga tao sa pagkuha ng benepisyo. Dapat mas madali, mas mabilis, at mas abot-kamay ang serbisyong ito para sa lahat,” Senator Go emphasized.
He also flagged another restrictive policy—the 24-hour confinement rule—which required patients to be hospitalized for at least a day to qualify for coverage. Thanks to his interventions, PhilHealth has adjusted its policies to provide emergency care benefits without requiring prolonged admission.
“Ang dapat unahin ay ang kapakanan ng pasyente, hindi ang teknikalidad ng mga patakaran. Kalusugan ang nakataya dito,” he stressed.
As temperatures soar, Senator Go urged the public to take precautions and not ignore symptoms of heat-related illnesses. He reiterated that PhilHealth coverage is in place, but prevention remains the best protection.
“Ang init ng panahon ngayon ay hindi biro. Uminom ng sapat na tubig, iwasang magbilad sa araw nang matagal, at kung may nararamdaman, huwag nang mag-atubiling magpagamot. Narito ang PhilHealth para sa inyo,” he reminded.
With Senator Go leading the charge in ensuring accessible healthcare for all Filipinos, his continued push for PhilHealth reforms aims to guarantee that no one is left behind—especially in times of crisis.
