PhilHealth expanding package for drug dependents

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is expanding its benefit package for drug dependents who will undergo rehabilitation amid the government’s continuing war on illegal drugs, an official disclosed yesterday.

PhilHealth acting president and chief executive officer Ramon Aristoza Jr. said they are working on a medical detoxification package to safely manage the symptoms of withdrawal associated with drug use.

PhilHealth is drafting the guidelines for such benefit package in coordination with the Department of Health and other stakeholders, Aristoza said.

Based on the website of the World Health Organization, withdrawal syndrome may occur during cessation or reduction on use of a psychoactive substance that has been taken repeatedly in high doses for a prolonged period of time. The condition may also be accompanied by signs of physiological disturbance.

The website shows that opioid withdrawal is characterized by rhinorrhoea (running nose), lacrimation (excessive tear formation), aching muscles, chills, gooseflesh, and muscle and abdominal cramps.

These conditions are among the components related to drug dependency that Philhealth is paying for under the All Case Rate payment scheme.

At present, Aristoza noted that hospital confinements due to drug abuse are paid for under the existing benefit package provided by PhilHealth.

PhilHealth senior vice president for health finance policy sector Ruben John Basa said hospitalization caused by mental and behavioral disorders secondary to substance abuse is paid at a package rate of P7,800, including professional and hospital fees. 

He said PhilHealth paid around P25 million in benefit packages for drug-related disorders in the past two years.