Antipolo residents receive free ultrasound, cryotherapy, breast and cervical cancer screening on at Kaulayaw Coffee on Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal on September 6, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Everything came too late for Lily Gonzales to benefit from an expanded breast cancer benefits package from PhilHealth.

Gonzales passed away in 2020, succumbing to stage 4 breast cancer, and her son deeply regrets the missed opportunity.

"Siguro late na... Kung inabot 'yung panahon na may gano'n, mapapagaan din siguro 'yung sa gamutan at sa financial... kasi hindi mo alam saan mo kukunin 'yung pagkukuhanan mo ng panggastos sa ospital," her son Kervin Eugenio said.

(Perhaps it's a case of too little, too late... If such support had been available earlier, it would have alleviated both the medical and financial burdens... because finding the means to cover hospital expenses is always uncertain.)

Under PhilHealth's "Z Benefits" or Breast Cancer Benefits Package, the agency now covers up to P1.4 million for the treatment of breast cancer patients, a significant increase from the previous P100,000.

Previously, only stage 3A breast cancer patients were eligible for this coverage, but now it extends from stage 0 to 4.

"Covered po ng nasabing package 'yung mula sa diagnostic tests, breast cancer treatment at management hanggang sa surveillance, ibig sabihin hanggang sa matapos na 'yung operasyon ng mga pasyente... 'yung mga pasyente po ay ia-avail nila 'yung ating benefits package sa mga contracted hospitals ng Philhealth... Wala silang dapat maging co-payment," said Ray Baleña, acting vice president of PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group.

(The package includes diagnostic tests, breast cancer treatment, and ongoing management, ensuring that patients receive support even after their operations... Patients can avail themselves of our benefits package at PhilHealth-contracted hospitals without any co-payment required.)

Kharen Ona, who has been battling stage 2 breast cancer for four years, is greatly relieved because the financial strain of her treatment is no joke.

"'Yung isang chemo session ko around 25 to P30,000 'yung gamot no'n. That's for chemo alone. 'Di pa kasama 'yung gastos sa laboratory, gastos sa pamasahe... Kung wala ka talagang pambili, madedelay ka talaga," Ona said.

(A single chemo session costs between 25,000 to P30,000 just for the medication... and that's only for the chemo. It doesn't cover laboratory expenses, transportation, or other incidental costs... If you can't afford it, treatment delays are inevitable.)

She also expressed relief that she no longer has to worry about where to find the money for her treatment.

"Malaking tulong talaga siya, especially libre na ang mammogram at ultrasound. Hopefully, hindi siya katulad ng dati na mauubusan ng pondo agad," she said.

(It's truly a lifeline, especially now that mammograms and ultrasounds are provided free of charge... Let's hope we don't face the same situation as before when funds ran out quickly.)

PhilHealth assured patients that their funds are sufficient. 

"Mayroon po tayong sapat na pondo para po tustusan itong pinalawak na benefits package... Tayo ay nasa matatag na financial position para tustusan ito... Sustainable ito. Marami pa tayong benefits package na nakatakdang i-enhance ngayong taon," Baleña said.

(We have ample funds to sustain this expanded benefits package... Our financial position is stable, allowing us to fully support it... It's a sustainable initiative... and we have plans to enhance many more benefits packages throughout the year.)

Currently, there are only 21 health facilities in the country where the Z Benefits Package can be availed, two of which are in Metro Manila: the East Avenue Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital.

"Very substantial 'yung ating coverage so makakaasa tayo na dadami po ang mga mag-a-apply na mga pasilidad para sumali sa programa na ito...para maging accessible sa mga paseyente 'yung pagpapagamot... Makakaasa tayo na in the next few months, makakapagkontrata na tayo ng mga private facilities," Baleña said.

(With such comprehensive coverage, we anticipate a surge in facility applications to join this program... ensuring treatment accessibility for all patients... In the coming months, we expect to enter contracts with additional private facilities.)

This year, PhilHealth aims to expand not only the Z Benefits Package but also chemotherapy coverage for other types of cancer.

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