BONG GO WELCOMES PHILHEALTH’S COMMITMENT TO SCRAP SINGLE PERIOD OF CONFINEMENT POLICY BY END OF SEPTEMBER 2024

The controversial single period of confinement policy will be scrapped by the end of September 2024, as committed by PhilHealth officials during the recent Senate Committee on Health Public Hearing held last September 10.

This came after persistent efforts of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health who has has long been vocal about the need to abolish this policy, which prevents patients from availing PhilHealth coverage for the same illness within a short time frame, leading to unnecessary burdens on Filipino families.

Go’s relentless appeals to PhilHealth have finally yielded results, with the health insurance agency committing to implement the change. Go underscored the policy’s negative impact on the public, particularly for patients suffering from recurring illnesses.

PhilHealth COO Atty. Eli Santos confirmed that the agency would comply with Go’s appeals.

“We will include the removal of this provision on a single period of confinement when we implement, or we come up with a policy or the increase of the case rates, probably from 30 to 50 percent increase,” Santos said.

However, Go pushed for immediate action, urging PhilHealth to remove the policy independently of other planned adjustments.

“Bakit kailangan niyong pagsabayin? Bakit hindi niyo nalang tanggalin muna itong single confinement policy while studying the increasing of case rates?” Go asked.

In response, Santos eventually conceded: “Yes, Mr. Chairperson, we’ll comply immediately. We’ll remove it.”

Go emphasized that the removal of the policy is a critical step in improving healthcare access for all Filipinos.

“Ayon sa PhilHealth, tatanggalin na nila ang single confinement policy by the end of September,” said Go during the hearing. “Maraming Pilipino ang hindi nabibigyan ng tamang benepisyo dahil dito, kaya’t mabuti na lang at nakinig ang PhilHealth sa ating mga hinaing.”

Go had repeatedly criticized the policy as illogical, noting that illnesses such as pneumonia and pregnancy complications are unpredictable and cannot be limited by arbitrary timelines.

“Kapag tayo po’y nagkasakit ng pneumonia, na-admit tayo, bawal na pong ma-cover ito within three months. Mapipigilan ba natin magkasakit?” Go pointed out.

Two case studies were highlighted during the hearing to demonstrate the detrimental effects of the policy. One case involved Elena Abilar, whose child, born with special needs, was denied coverage for multiple pneumonia admissions within a short period. She tearfully recalled how PhilHealth advised the hospital to change the diagnosis to secure coverage for her child.

“Eh wala naman, alangan naman magdasal pa ako na magkaroon ng ibang sakit… na-admit ulit ang anak ko ng ganong sistema. Ano, maglalagay, cancer na ‘yung sakit? Eh, nakakatakot naman ‘yun,” Abilar said, her frustration evident.

Another case involved Mang Boy, whose mother was suffering from emphysema. After being readmitted due to complications, the hospital informed them that PhilHealth’s policy only allowed coverage once every six months. Mang Boy expressed his disbelief, noting that despite paying contributions for years, his family was left to shoulder the costs when they needed coverage the most.

“Year after year, magbabayad ka. Tapos kung kailangan mong gamitin, limitado ang paggamit… Pangit naman ‘yung ganun,” Mang Boy lamented.

Go’s persistence led to a firm commitment from PhilHealth that the single confinement policy would be abolished by the end of September, aside from other reforms they committed such as increasing case rates, expanding benefits and recommending the lowering of premium contributions of direct members.

“Ipinaalala rin natin sa Philhealth na may resulta dapat ang mga pangako nila kabilang na ang pagtataas ng case rates, pagpapalawak ng benefit packages, at pagrerekomenda sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas na ibaba ang premium contribution ng mga miyembro nito,” Go said.

“Samantala, ipinasa na ng Senado ang Senate Bill No. 2620 na layon ding amyendahan ang Universal Health Care Law upang pababain ang contribution rates ng direct members ng PhilHealth. Co-sponsor at co-author po tayo ng naturang panukala,” he added.

The removal of this policy is expected to provide relief for patients and their families who have faced challenges due to the limitations imposed by the single period of confinement rule. As PhilHealth implements this change, Senator Go’s ongoing efforts are recognized as having played a key role in prompting such reforms to better protect Filipinos.

“Please lang, bilisan n’yo na… Unahin n’yo po itong single confinement policy. Dahil maraming mga pasyenteng naghihingalo, nangangailangan ng tulong,” Go implored.

“Sa mga kapwa ko lingkod bayan, lalo na ang mga opisyal ng PhilHealth, tandaan po natin na mayroon dapat tayong “isang salita.” Huwag puro promise. Kailangan ng agarang aksyon at resulta dahil buhay at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan ang nakataya rito!,” he ended.