FEB 19, 2016

NR # 4115

Solons seeks probe on PhilHealths new hemodialysis package

Two lawmakers are urging Congress to look into the new hemodialysis package being
implemented by PhilHealth, which reportedly requires additional cash out from hemodialysis patients and
excludes important laboratory procedures.
In House Resolution 2651, Rep. Neri J. Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna) said PhilHealth
issued Circular No. 024-2015 on the New PhilHealth Dialysis Package (Revision 1) on August 27, 2015,
the same day the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 5956, which
mandates the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to increase the coverage for dialysis treatment of
members of the National Health Insurance Program to 90 sessions per year.
The Circular increased the dialysis sessions covered by PhilHealth from 45 to 90 sessions per
year and pegged the hemodialysis cost to P2,600 per session from the previous P4,000 per session,
Colmenares said.
He said the new hemodialysis package includes facilities and dialysis machine use, drugs and
medicine, supplies and others and professional fee.
Colmenares said within months after the start of the implementation of PhilHealths new package,
there were reports on increased cash-out in the form of co-pay mechanisms and non-inclusion of
injections and laboratory procedures in the PhilHealth coverage.
Citing data from the Hemodialysis Patient Organization in the National Kidney and Transplant
Institute (NKTI), Colmenares said the co-pay charge per session was increased by P350 P750 per
hemodialysis session.
In 2016, the monthly cash-out of patients can run as high as P13,752 P19,054. The amount
does not even include the laboratory expenses, he said.
Colmenares said the circular that took effect starting September 15, 2015 is contrary to the intent
and purpose of House Bill 5956, which was passed by the Lower House in response to the clamor of
hemodialysis patients. The bill is still pending in the Senate.
Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate (Party-list, Bayan Muna) the burden of the patients was further
compounded by the reported non-issuance of guarantee letters by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office (PCSO) until the 90 sessions covered by the PhilHealth were exhausted.
This further denies the indigent patients of the much-needed financial assistance, Zarate said.
Zarate also disclosed the hemodialysis patients in NKTI complained that the 20 percent discount
for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as stipulated in Republic Act 9442 or An Act Amending Republic
Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and for Other Purposes was
not being deducted in their hemodialysis treatment bills.
Both Colmenares and Zarate urged the House Committee on Health to conduct an inquiry into
these said concerns of the hemodialysis patients as these affect their access to the lifesaving procedure
and may spell the difference between life and death for patients with end stage renal disease especially
the indigents. (30) mvip