PhilHealth reminds members about heat-related illnesses coverage

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday reminded its members about its coverage for heat-related illnesses and dengue.

“Doon po sa heat-related diseases, pagkapo na-heat stroke o heat exhaustion, kung saan ang pasyente po ay halos nahihimatay at nagiging unconscious, mayroon po tayong coverage na P12,675,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado.

(When it comes to heat-related diseases, when you get heat stroke or heat exhaustion, wherein the patient has already lost consciousness, the coverage is P12,675.) 

“At kung talaga pong heat fatigue o inatake na ang pasyente, mayroon na kahalong arrhythmia o yung puso po ay medyo pumapalya, mayroon po tayong coverage until P18,135.” 

(And if the patient has experienced heat fatigue or is already experiencing arrhythmia, our coverage for that is P18,135.)  

Mercado's statement comes amid the rising heat index being experienced in parts of the country. Classes were recently suspended in some areas after dangerous levels of heat index, reaching up to 46°C, were recorded. 

Meanwhile, Mercado also reminded members about its coverage for mild to severe cases of dengue. 

“Doon sa mild dengue po ay umaabot po tayo ng P19,500 at doon sa severe dengue po ay P47,000,” he said. 

(For mild dengue, our coverage is up to P19,500, and for severe dengue, the coverage is up to P47,000.) 

Dengue cases are on the rise in several localities, with Quezon City already declaring an outbreak last month. The city has already logged at least 10 fatalities this year.

The Department of Health earlier said that eight more local government units may announce an outbreak soon following the rise of cases in their areas in the past weeks. --VAL, GMA Integrated News