PhilHealth claims rise with increase in dengue cases

CEBU, Philippines – An increase of PhilHealth claims filed was noted with the rise of the number of dengue cases in the country.

Over P35 million of total benefits payment was expected to be released with 9,109 claims filed, compared to last year's amount of more than P25 million in benefit payments with 7,056 claims filed.

Philhealth offers hospitalization benefits for members and their dependents confined in accredited hospitals due to dengue and its complications. Dengue cases may be classified under PhilHealth's unified benefit schedule as Case Type A,B or C depending on the severity of the condition.

The Department of Health earlier warned the public to be wary of clean water indoors such as dish strains and flower vases, as these are the breeding places of mosquitoes.

Outside the houses, rainwater caught by old tires or by open containers like empty cans and bottles must also be checked.

Classical dengue is generally classified as case type A with fever, joint pains, headache and abdominal pains as general symptoms, said Dr. Avril Tiu, Phil-Health 7 Benefits Administration Section medical officer.

Narrowing of the pulse pressure, cold extremities, and mental confusion characterize the case type C classification, according to PhilHealth 7 medical specialist Dr. Vita Chan.

"Dengue is a disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses which are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Aedes Aegypti mosquito. This is one of the major health problems during the rainy season," read a press statement from PhilHealth.

They added that the signs of dengue are high continuous fever lasting two to seven days, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, body weakness, bleeding tenden-cies from the nose and gums, and persistent red spots on the face, extremities and trunk.

Danger signs of dengue include spontaneous bleeding, persistent vomiting, cold and clammy skin, listlessness, weak rapid pulse and difficulty breathing. - Princess Pachoro Licardo & Nylpha Costelo, PIT interns/JPM (FREEMAN)