By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said Wednesday it has granted the provisional contracting of its Z Benefits for orthopedic implants in response to the devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces on Sept. 30.
The state insurer said the move follows a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who ordered government agencies to mobilize immediately and provide all necessary support to affected communities.
Currently, only one PhilHealth-accredited hospital in Cebu is authorized to provide Z Benefit packages for orthopedic implants.
To address this gap, the PhilHealth Board approved a special policy granting President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado the authority to relax key policies during a state of calamity.
This would ensure that more facilities can provide urgent orthopedic procedures without delay.
“This is not just a matter of policy, but of timely action to save lives and limbs,” he said.
“By easing restrictions, we are ensuring that those injured in this calamity receive proper treatment without delay or undue cost.”
Key measures under provisional policy
Effective retroactively from Sept. 30, 2025, and valid until the lifting of the declared state of calamity, the following temporary provisions apply:
- Expanded access: Hospitals in Cebu are granted provisional accreditation to provide Z Benefit packages for orthopedic implants;
- Zero co-payment: Eligible victims will receive full coverage for orthopedic implant procedures with no out-of-pocket costs;
- Professional flexibility: Accredited PhilHealth healthcare professionals may perform surgeries and receive compensation even if they are not affiliated with a contracted facility;
- 24-hour confinement exemption: Victims in urgent need of surgery are exempted from the standard 24-hour hospital stay requirement;
- Extended claims filing: Hospitals and patients may file claims within 120 calendar days from discharge, including retroactive coverage for admissions up to 60 days before Sept. 30; and
- PhilHealth clarified that existing benefit packages will remain in place for conditions unrelated to the earthquake.
- Additional special provisions may be considered after further evaluation of the disaster’s full impact.
Mercado described the move as proactive and a demonstration of the “Corporation’s readiness to respond in times of national emergency.”
“We are loosening policies not to compromise standards, but to maximize access to care at a time when scarcity of accredited providers could mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability,” he said.
