No out-of-pocket payments for those qualified for COVID-19 testing, PhilHealth reiterates

Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) do not need to bear any out-of-pocket cost for COVID-19 testing in accredited laboratories if they meet the criteria set by the Department of Health (DOH), according to an official of the state health insurer on Thursday.

"Ito po ay nakadisenyo para sa lahat ng Pilipino na doon sa mga accreditted na testing center, kung sila ay pasok sa guidelines ng DOH wala po dapat out of pocket payment," Dr. Marvin Galvez, chief of the PhilHealth Benefits Development and Research Department, said in a Senate hearing.

"Wala po dapat out-of-pocket, no co-payment kapag po nangangailangan ng serbisyong ito at pasok po siya doon sa guidelines ng DOH," he added.

DOH's interim guidelines on expanded testing for COVID-19 identified four groups of at-risk individuals to be prioritized for testing:

• Subgroup A: Patients or healthcare workers with severe/critical symptoms and with relevant history of travel/contact

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• Subgroup B: Patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms and with relevant history of travel/contact, and considered vulnerable
• Subgroup C: Patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms and with relevant history of travel/contact
• Subgroup D: Patients or healthcare workers with no symptoms but have relevant history of travel/contact

The PhilHealth has recently lowered the maximum cost of its testing package from the previous P8,150 to only P4,200, following overpricing allegations.

As of May 27, the Philippines recorded a total of 15,049 cases of COVID-19, with 3,506 recoveries and 904 deaths. — RSJ, GMA News