PhilHealth reminds mild, asymptomatic COVID-19 members they can avail of home isolation package

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Monday reminded the public that it is offering a COVID-19 Home Isolation Benefit Package (CHIBP) to members who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of COVID-19.

In an Unang Balita interview, PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo said this package is available for those who were found positive for COVID-19 through  RT-PCR test, but does not cover those who have severe or critical symptoms.

“‘Yung home isolation package ay binabayad sa accredited providers, hindi po doon sa patients kasi ‘yung providers ang mag-aalaga sa patients (This package is paid to accredited providers and not to patients because the providers will be the ones to take care of them),” she stressed.

Domingo said that those who want to avail of the package need to have a separate isolation room and toilet with good airflow for ventilation.

PhilHealth noted that this home isolation package is an alternative option for COVID-19 positive patients who do not want to stay in a Community Isolation Unit (CIU) and wish to receive health support directly in their homes.

The program was developed to encourage providers to extend monitoring and clinical support to patients recommended for home isolation, particularly in areas where there may be limited availability of beds in isolation facilities, Philhealth said.

Services in the CHIBP include provision of a home isolation kit containing alcohol, thermometer, pulse oximeter, face masks, medicines, and vitamins; daily teleconsultation for at least 10 days; patient education; and referral to high level health facilities if needed.

The CHIBP was launched in August 2021. —KG, GMA News