PhilHealth aids mild, asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with home isolation package

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has made available a home isolation package to mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to allow them to receive health support directly in their homes.

The COVID-19 Home Isolation Benefit Package (CHIBP) will serve as “an alternative for patients who meet the social and clinical criteria for home isolation and who do not want to stay in a community isolation unit,” PhilHealth said in Circular No. 2021-0041 issued on August 17, 2021.

Allowing mild and asymptomatic patients to be treated and recuperate in their homes will also free up hospital facilities for use of moderate, severe and critical COVID-19 cases, the state insurer added.

According to the circular, the CHIBP "shall include all identified services needed to effectively manage COVID-19 confirmed asymptomatic and mild cases needing isolation" based on the existing guidelines, as well as the patient's testing and inpatient services.

PhilHealth said the package will be made available only in surge areas declared by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.  The package will be paid as a case rate.

Healthcare workers who will be part of the home isolation team will get additional incentives.

The CHIBP shall allow consultations and daily monitoring of patients through telephone or video.  This will be done in accordance with the Department of Health’s rules and guidelines in telemedicine practice and will be compliant with data privacy laws.—LDF, GMA News