MANILA – Following the declaration of a measles outbreak in several areas across the country, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminded the public that such cases are covered by their insurance.
“PhilHealth coverage for measles ranges from P7,700 to P25,700 with uncomplicated cases being paid at P7,700 while pneumonia in measles at P15,000,” PhilHealth said in a statement aired on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.
“Confinements due to measles complicated by meningitis, however, are compensated at P25,700,” it added.
Even patients with no active PhilHealth coverage can avail of benefits through the Point of Service (POS) program where they are afforded with health insurance.
“If found to be financially incapable by the hospitals’ social worker, the government will pay for premiums of a one-year PhilHealth coverage effective at the time of their availment,” said PhilHealth.
This comes as the Department of Health (DOH) reported a 550-percent increase in measles patients from Jan. 1 to Feb. 6 this year versus the same period in 2018.
The DOH attributed the drop in the measles immunization coverage due to the decline of public confidence in the government’s vaccination program, following the controversy over the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Despite these recent developments, the government was unlikely to implement mandatory vaccinations, arguing that such a move might be questioned in the courts. (GMA News)
