00:00 With me right now is Mr. Eli Santos of the EBP and COO of PhilHealth.
00:06 We just had our meeting upon instruction of the speaker.
00:11 We asked PhilHealth about medicine for dialysis patients.
00:20 Well right now everybody knows that PhilHealth has already answered the entire year session of dialysis.
00:29 The problem that they encounter now is the vaccines, the shots.
00:35 After every session, they don't have shots.
00:39 So they go to congressmen, mayors, senators, asking for vaccines.
00:44 Little did we know, it's already included in the PhilHealth package of 2,600, right?
00:51 It's already included there.
00:52 But there are hospitals, there are facilities, dialysis centers that don't have medicine.
00:57 So what we're going to do now, we studied it, and PhilHealth is saying to give them one month.
01:03 It's per the instruction of the speaker.
01:05 That's why we brought this up.
01:07 There are people who approached the office of the speaker who have diabetes.
01:11 They have a problem with medicine.
01:13 They always approach congressmen, mayors, senators.
01:16 To solve this problem, what PhilHealth will do is to double the 2,600 package for dialysis.
01:25 PhilHealth will do 5,200 for all-in.
01:29 So that the diabetics won't have to cash out for dialysis.
01:34 They won't have to cash out.
01:35 This one, what PhilHealth will do, they will increase their package from 2,600 to 5,200, but all-in.
01:47 Even the injections.
01:49 So the people who are on dialysis won't have to pay out.
01:54 So what they will do is, PhilHealth will arrange the mechanics for the next 30 days.
02:00 They will look at how and what to do.
02:05 But they will be able to answer the medicines of PhilHealth.
02:10 Because that's the most important thing.
02:12 Every session, after every session, there will be an injection.
02:15 Now, there is another thing that PhilHealth is saying.
02:19 Because now, the deductions are so small.
02:23 What Speaker Romualdez wants is, maybe it's possible, maybe it's possible,
02:28 to do a total bill for a patient, whether it's private or government hospital,
02:33 to increase it by 10%, to give a 10% discount to all the members.
02:39 Hopefully by next month, no one will have to cash out for dialysis, especially those who are on 3 times a week.
02:47 Because now, they need to buy vials, in the boutique, they will bring it to the dialysis center for injections.
02:55 Now, PhilHealth will answer all of those, so that they won't have to spend anything,
03:00 even if they are on 3 times a week for dialysis.
03:03 So, I just want to add, what we also talked about last month,
03:08 May 15 started, the free mammogram, free ultrasound for everybody, is already in the consulta package.
03:17 If you want to get a mammogram or your beneficiary, just go to the website of PhilHealth,
03:25 and you will see where the hospitals are located.
03:27 We have private hospitals that are accepting the consulta package, free mammogram, free ultrasound.
03:35 Speaker Martin Rinaldes, and to the effort of our congressman Erwin Tulfo,
03:41 PhilHealth issued an improvement for enhancement of the consulta package.
03:47 And based on the instruction that we followed, now, under consulta, breast ultrasound and mammogram are covered.
03:56 And aside from that, we also increased the capitation per person.
04:01 So now, what PhilHealth is reimbursing through consulta is P1,700 per person.
04:07 So we increased that in the private sector from P750 to P1,700, and in public facilities from P500 to P1,700.
04:19 Because this is not, again, in the efforts of our congressman Erwin Tulfo.
04:25 Let me just add there, because there are packages now for mammogram, ultrasound, and diagnostics,
04:34 that are around P2,000 plus in the most popular hospitals here in NCR.
04:39 So in PhilHealth, P1,700, it covers just about everything.
04:44 In ordinary hospitals, in private, it's already covered. That's their price.
04:49 The P1,700 for mammogram, ultrasound, etc. is already covered by PhilHealth.
04:56 So this started with May 15?
04:59 We implemented this last May 15, 2024.
05:03 However, the coverage of my P1,700 capitation is January 1, 2024.
05:10 So our private hospitals, facilities, and government, will be able to avail this P1,700 starting January 1, 2024.
05:19 So what is covered or included in the whole package?
05:25 What are the dialysis, what is happening, what are the patients buying that are already covered by PhilHealth?
05:35 So all the medicines that are used in hemodialysis is covered by PhilHealth.
05:45 And at P2,600 per session.
05:49 So now, through the efforts of our Comm Erwin Tulfo, PhilHealth is studying on increasing this to P5,200.
06:01 We were given a one-month study period.
06:06 And then, we will cover everything.
06:08 Our goal, our directive from Comm Erwin Tulfo, our goal is that there are no out-of-pocket dialysis patients.
06:18 Sir, how many medicines are those? And then, what happens when they are being dialysed?
06:23 Because I know that they are just sitting and there are tubes.
06:26 But what really happens when someone undergoes dialysis?
06:30 And how many of those medicines are being given?
06:35 The specifics as to the medicines, I don't have the data now.
06:40 But usually, what they use, this erythrocoetine, what happens is they buy it outside the facility.
06:48 This is usually what is added to the expense of the patients.
06:52 Actually, this is covered by PhilHealth.
06:56 But on the side of PhilHealth, what we will do is to remind all facilities that provide hemodialysis that this should be covered and there are no out-of-pocket patients.
07:08 So, the private dialysis center hospital will procure those medicines for the patients?
07:16 Exactly. So that the patients will not buy it.
07:18 Because right now, that is the problem. They are coming to the congressman, to the mayor, to the governor to buy medicines.
07:26 And then, the other thing that they are studying now, it is a bit difficult, the 10% that will be deducted from the discount of your bill.
07:36 So, what we see is that you should present it immediately that you will use PhilHealth when you are accepted.
07:43 Then, the 10% that you will deduct from your hospital bill will be reduced.
07:48 Sir, just for clarification, how many sessions of dialysis are there in the whole summer?
07:56 How many sessions?
07:57 156.
07:58 156 sessions over the whole year.
08:02 That's three times a week, right? That's three times a week, close? 156.
08:06 Because we have a lot of people who do it three times a week.
08:10 In the PhilHealth fund, you don't need to raise premiums?
08:17 For the record, Sir Eli, how much is in PhilHealth's pocket right now?
08:24 The current assets of PhilHealth right now, just to assure the Filipinos that PhilHealth has enough contents.
08:31 During the past hearing, P173 billion pesos came out from the excess funds from the contributions of PhilHealth, aside from the government subsidy.
08:48 And you, as a champion, low to middle class people, even last year during the budget deliberations, the PhilHealth fund was in a huge amount.
09:01 Just suspend the collection of PhilHealth premiums and even the W&W.
09:10 How is it, Sir, when you talk about PhilHealth and Sir Eli?
09:18 Initially, during our first meeting, we talked about PhilHealth, don't reduce or stop the contributions.
09:26 But that's why they're able to do it right now.
09:30 The mammogram is free, the ultrasound is free.
09:34 Now, even when you double the hemodialysis.
09:38 But don't reduce it.
09:41 Before, we talked to Congressman Quimbo and the Speaker of the Office of the Speaker.
09:47 What PhilHealth is saying is, even if it's DOH, don't reduce or stop the contributions.
09:55 Continuously. But there's no increase.
09:57 But there are more benefits.
09:59 That's why we're saying, the dialysis, double, 10% discount on hospital bills, PhilHealth will answer.
10:10 Because they have funds. We know that.
10:13 They declared it to us.
10:15 Go ahead, Sir.
10:17 How much do you have that they asked you?
10:19 I made from the total assets of PhilHealth as of 2023 is P589.5 billion.
10:27 So, PhilHealth's fund is P1.3 billion, including the reserve funds, right?
10:34 The P463 is part of the P589.
10:40 The Philippines earlier, they have a debt to PhilHealth.
10:45 So, they're on process, they're paying the debts.
10:48 There are others, there are COVIDs.
10:50 So, it's a big amount, but it's not that big.
10:54 That's why what Stella is saying, it's better if they don't contribute or reduce.
11:01 Maybe they can contribute continuously, but we'll make a way to use your PhilHealth card more.
11:08 You'll get more benefits than the former administration, it's just limited.
11:14 And now, there's a universal healthcare loan, you should really use it as long as you have that PhilHealth.
11:21 Because we're 5% now, you can't reduce it.
11:26 You're already studying it, you're already studying to decrease the collection.
11:33 Until what?
11:35 The possibility of what level can be decreased is, I don't have data now, what's our projection here.
11:46 But definitely on the side of increasing the benefits, I already have a program, I'm directing it to your director.
11:53 Maybe on the decrease, the committee will talk about it.
11:57 Because they'll also be the resource persons there.
12:00 They'll talk about it.
12:01 But definitely, who doesn't want to reduce the contribution?
12:07 All of us, I'm contributing there.
12:09 It's better if it's smaller.
12:11 Especially for our poor people, because they can use that money somewhere else, the deduction or reduction.
12:20 But if our future in UHC is, there should be no more copayment, at least no more copay.
12:26 So are we hopeful that in the future, copayment will be gone?
12:32 Definitely, we need to study it well, the PhilHealth in the near future.
12:38 Maybe the government will subsidize, there will be no more contribution.
12:42 Because it's better if there's no more reduction, especially for our brothers and sisters who have a small salary,
12:47 then a minimum or below minimum, it's better.
12:50 Maybe we'll study it.
12:51 When the session opens, I will talk to the committee on health.
12:54 If they'll look at it, if you're minimum or below minimum, don't pay anymore, right?
12:58 Don't pay for now, so you can save.
13:01 Now, if you're a bit above minimum wage, we'll look at it.
13:04 But with discount, maybe it's reduced.
13:08 Sir Eli, just a clarification.
13:10 The payment for COVID, the program you had before COVID, how much debt do you have?
13:18 I heard that you're paying 99%, but how many billions are left in hospitals that you haven't paid due to COVID?
13:28 I do not have the data right now as to the status of the COVID case.
13:35 And we'll provide the office of COVID.
13:39 All right, thank you.
13:41 Okay.
13:42 Thank you.
13:43 Thank you.
13:44 Thank you.
13:46 Thank you.
13:48 Thank you.
13:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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