ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in Western Visayas (Philhealth-6) and The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) on Friday afternoon inked a partnership agreement for the Z-Benefit package for coronary bypass graft surgery.
The memorandum of agreement was signed by Philhealth-6 Vice President Lourdes Diocson; Dr. Bernadette Reynes, PhilHealth-6 chief for Health Care Delivery Management Division; Dr. Louie S. Tirador, head of the Cardiovascular Program of TMCI and Dr. Jared Billena, Chair of the Department of Pathology of TMCI.
In her speech, Diocson said that the alarming rise in death rate attributed to cardiovascular disease has prompted Philhealth to partner with TMCI to provide a package for heart bypass.
Under the Z-Benefit package for heart bypass, Diocson said that each patient-beneficiary is entitled to a package of PHP550,000 for the entire course of treatment.
Covered by the package are drugs and medicines, operating room and professional fees, including mandatory and other services under Philhealth’s Z-Benefit or those illnesses perceived to be financially and medically catastrophic.
Patient-members will also be provided with services such as pre-operative laboratory tests, medications, blood support, open heart surgery, continuing post-operative care, among others.
The said benefit package is the second highest benefit package being paid for by Philhealth.
In order to avail of the package, Diocson said that the patient should be a member of Philhealth who have three months contribution within the last six months.
But Diocson said that come October, they will be implementing the requirement of nine months contribution within the last 12 months in order to be eligible for the package.
Eligible patients will undergo screening procedure and will have documentation requirements to comply with before they could avail of the package, she said.
Meantime, Tirador added that the attending physician will then assess if the patient is “good candidate for bypass procedure” and other arrangements with the TMCI and Philhealth and necessary preparations will follow.
Prior to the partnership with Philhealth for the heart bypass surgery, Tirador said that they have been doing the procedure for the last seven years and he noted improvement in the results of their procedure.
“This institution is prepared, machines wise and team of doctors, surgeons, cardiologists and intensives,” he said .(Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
