Z benefits by Philhealth

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines  – At least three medical institutions in Mindanao will join hundreds of public hospitals all over the country in making the financial burden of patients suffering from catastrophic illnesses lighter through a new benefits package introduced by Phil. Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) recently.

The medical facilities are the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) based here, and the Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao Regional Hospital in Davao city.

These government-run hospitals have partnered with PhilHealth in implementing the “Z Benefits” package that will ensure lesser expenses for patients suffering from cancer, said Dr. Esther Ricardo, division chief of Health Care Delivery Management Division of PhilHealth-Region 10 during the program’s launch recently.

 The packages include acute lymphocytic leukemia (children less than 10 years old), breast cancer (stage 0 to IIIA), prostate cancer (male patients up to 70 years old), as well as kidney transplant (male patients up to 70 years old).

Except for the kidney transplant, the NMMC is offering the three Z benefits for patients who are qualified per PhilHealth guidelines.

Although no PhilHealth member has availed of the Z benefits yet at the NMMC, the hospital’s head Dr. Jose Chan said they are now open for screening for potential clients.

According to PhilHealth, the Z benefit will be paid directly to the partner-hospital, in effect the PhilHealth members will have their benefit automatically deducted from their total hospital bill.

Patients under the Philhealth sponsored program will be paid in full and they will no longer be required to shell out extra peso for the expenses.