P100 treatment packs offered to Philhealth-sponsored members

Legazpi City (3 August) — Eligible sponsored members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can now avail of additional benefits from the agency’s following the launching of the P100 drugs and medicine package.

Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president, said the P100 treatment package entitles members to avail of coverage of drugs and medicines even beyond the member/patient’s confinement period.

Iñigo said the new benefit package, by virtue of PhilHealth Circular No. 20, S. 2009, intends to ensure financial protection of sponsored members in times of sickness, especially members of the marginalized sector or indigents

He added the new benefit package for indigent members is guaranteed by RA 9502 or the “Universally Accessible Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008.”

He pointed out the P100 drugs shall be given/prescribed to sponsored members, as applicable, during confinement and extra pack(s) needed beyond the confinement period subject to the following limitations:

a. Full course treatment (maximum of two weeks) for infections covering antimicrobial drugs;

b. For chronic illnesses, P100 drugs shall be limited to cover two weeks for maintenance dose after discharge;

c. For other acute illnesses, P100 drugs shall be limited to one extra pack as take home medications after discharge;

d. Should be within the prescribed in-patient benefit limits for drugs and medicines.

Iñigo further said all sponsored members and their qualified dependents, with date of confinement within the validity period of their membership as indicated in the Family Health Card/Member Data Record (MDR), are eligible to avail of the P100 treatment packs.

“Members must ensure that their qualified dependents are included in the MDR to avoid any delay in availing PhilHealth benefits,” he stressed.

The P100 treatment package took effect for benefit claims of sponsored members with admission date starting June 1, 2009.

Drugs and medicines covered by the P100 treatment package are Anti-Hypertensive – Amlodipine 5 and 10 mg tablet, Atenolol 10 mg tablet, Felodipine ER 2.5, 5, and 10 mg tablet; Anti-Infectives/Antibiotics/Antibacterial – Cefalexin 500mg capsule, Clindamycin 150mg capsule, Cotrimoxazole 800/160mg tablet, Co-Amoxiclav 625mg table, Amoxicillin 500 mg tablet; Anti-gout – Allopurinol 100mg tablet; Antiprotozoal/Anti-amoeba – Metronidazole 500mg tablet; Antidiabetic – Glibenclamide 5mg table, Metformin 500mg tablet; Anti-ulcer/Gastrict acid suppressant – Omeprzole 20mg capsule, Ranitidine 150mg tablet; Anti-Asthma – Salbutamol 2mg/2.5mg nebulas; Anti-hyperlipidemia/Anti-cholesterol – Simvastatin 10, 20 and 40mg tablet; Multivitamins – Ascorbic Acid 500mg tablet. (PhilHealth/PIA)