Healthcare packages for rare diseases and mobility devices will soon be covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Israel Francis Pargas, PhilHealth senior vice president for health finance sector, identified some of the ten rare diseases that will be covered by health insurance as inborn errors of metabolism, lysosomal storage diseases and maple syrup urine syndrome.

Pargas told the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum that said rare diseases can be diagnosed at a young age.

“So far po sa sampu na iyan, mayroon nang identified cases tayo ngayon. Ayan po yang mga yan, pwede siya ma-diagnose sa pagkabata pa lang,” he said.

Also to be covered by Philhealth are assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs and crutches.

Philhealth coverage will be given only if these are covered by doctor’s prescription.

According to Pargas, the state health insurer is currently finalizing the regulations for the additional health care packages and maybe expected to be released next year.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has reset the oral arguments for the petitions seeking to stop Philhealth from transferring PHP89.9 billion in excess funds of the state health insurer.

This decision was reached by SC magistrate during an en banc session held recently.

In a press briefer, the SC said oral arguments will be heard on February 4.

Fund transfers from Philhealth to the government have been halted after the SC issued a temporary restraining order as sought by the petitioners.

A total of PHP60 billion had already been transferred to the national treasury, leaving PHP29.9 billion still with PHilhealth.