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.
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.
According to Aristoza, PhilHealth is drafting the guidelines for such benefit package in coordination with the Department of Health and other stakeholders.
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 also shows that opioid withdrawal is characterized by rhinorrhea (runny nose), lacrimation (excessive tear formation), arching muscles, chills, gooseflesh, and muscle and abdominal cramps.
These conditions are among the components related to drug dependency that PhilHealth is paying 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 that hospitalization cause by mental and behavioral disorders secondary to substance abuse is paid at a package rate of P7,800, including professional and hospital fees.
Source: Philippine Star
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