PhilHealth Affirms Coverage for Pertussis Amid Surge

In response to the increasing cases of whooping cough in the Philippines, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured the public that it provides coverage for inpatient confinement due to this condition.

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. has encouraged all Filipinos to seek medical consultation through the PhilHealth Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) Package if they exhibit symptoms of pertussis, such as mild fever, cough, or cold. He emphasized the importance of availing the free consultation and necessary medicines recommended by healthcare providers under PhilHealth Konsulta.

If our Kababayans need medical consultation, I encourage them to avail themselves of the free consultation and the medicines they need to treat the disease as recommended by the healthcare provider under PhilHealth Konsulta. All they have to do is register.

he declared.

The PhilHealth Konsulta package offers comprehensive outpatient primary care benefits, including free consultation, targeted health risk screening and assessment, selected laboratory and diagnostic tests, and prescribed drugs and medicines.

Ledesma also supported the Department of Health's (DOH) call for urgent vaccination and preventive care, stating,

Vaccination and early detection are our strongest defenses against pertussis. I advise all our Kababayans to check the vaccination status of their children and have regular consultations to prevent the spread of the disease.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. Symptoms include mild fever, colds, and a staccato cough, appearing 7 to 10 days after infection. It spreads through droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Infants and young children who haven't received the DTaP vaccine are most vulnerable. The disease is preventable through vaccination and treatable with antibiotics.

For cases requiring confinement, PhilHealth offers case rate benefits ranging from P13,000 to P19,000. Ledesma reassured the public of PhilHealth's commitment to supporting individuals needing inpatient care for pertussis. He added that if a patient develops severe pneumonia, a common complication, PhilHealth has a benefit package of up to P90,100.

Ledesma urged the public to continue practicing safety measures learned during the pandemic to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses.

Let's continue to take safety measures we practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic like regular handwashing to protect the lives of those around us, especially the children. But rest assured that PhilHealth guarantees patients will receive the care they need while it pays for the medical expenses.

he asserted.

Reference: PhilHealth reiterates benefit coverage for pertussis