CITYSTATE CENTER, Pasig City — In case there are some who don't know about the good news, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has increased its benefits coverage by up to P500,000 for members confined due to heart diseases .

In its latest bulletin, PhilHealth announced that it has enhanced the health packages for ischemic heart disease-Acute myocardial infarction or heart attack under Circular 2024-0032 signed on December 18, 2024, and took effectivity on December 21.

According to PhilHealth president and chief-executive-officer Emmanuel Ledesma, “this package offers crucial coverage for heart disease, one of the critical health issues prevalent among Filipinos, as a means of alleviating financial strains on patients and ensure timely access to life-saving services from hospitalization, diagnostic tests and procedures like angioplasty, stenting and medication.”

Ledesma disclosed that in recognizing heart disease as the leading cause of death in the Philippines, the state health insurer's reimbursement rate is now tagged at P523,853—a significant increase from the previous P30,300—for patients needing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—a minimally invasive procedure to open blocked coronary arteries.

"Those who need fibrinolysis—treatment to dissolve blood clots in the coronary artery to help blood flow—are covered up to P133,500, while those who need emergency medical services with coordinated referrals and interfacility transfers can avail of the package for P21,900. Those who will undergo cardiac rehabilitation can access the package for P66,140," he added.

PhilHealth's reimbursement rate is available to accredited public and private health facilities classified as Level 1 to 2, that are capable of providing necessary treatments and procedures.

PhilHealth reminded members that there should be no co-payment for inpatient admissions in basic or ward accommodations in both public and private health facilities nationwide even as it cited that members should not be charged additional fees other than what PhilHealth covers for the standards of care and services included in PhilHealth benefit packages.