Out-patient emergency cases now covered by PhilHealth – Palace

MANILA, April 11 ------ The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will now pay for emergency procedures and other services for patients who do not need to be confined in hospitals, according to Malacañang. This as the state insurer introduced the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package, expanding its coverage to include outpatient emergency services and providing immediate financial assistance and healthcare support to its members. 

In a press briefing Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the OECB, which took effect last Feb. 14, covers various emergency cases common health issues like dizziness and diarrhea. “Ito’y package sa lahat ng mga PhilHealth-accredited hospitals mula Level 1 hanggang Level 3 simula pa noong Feb. 14, 2025,” she said. 

Castro highlighted that this initiative is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to enhance and expand the benefits available to Filipinos through PhilHealth. She pointed out that, according to the latest advisory from PhilHealth, separate accreditation for the OECB is no longer required, as it is now automatically included in the accreditation process for all PhilHealth facilities. “Ayon sa PhilHealth Advisory No. 2025-0009, hindi na kailangan ng mga hiwalay na accreditation para sa OECB dahil bahagi na ito ng pagsusuri sa mga PhilHealth facilities noong sila ay na-accredited,” Castro said. 

Established under the National Health Insurance Act (Republic Act 7875), PhilHealth provides sustainable and affordable health insurance to Filipinos since 1995. 

Source: pna.gov.ph