MANILA — State health insurer PhilHealth on Thursday announced a benefits package the public may avail of should they suffer from heat-related illnesses. 

Among the illnesses covered by PhilHealth, according to its spokesperson Dr. Israel Francis Pargas, are heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke.

“Kung merong mga nararamdaman na at may pagkakataon na nahihirapang huminga o may mga pagkakataon na may nahimatay na because sobrang init, pwede tayong madala sa emergency room para sa emergency treatment. Kung hindi kinakailangang maospital, tayo ay maaring makakuha ng benepisyo. Kung registered member, walang hihingin na requirements,” he explained.

(If there are times that you feel like you’re having difficulty breathing or you lose consciousness because of the extreme heat, you should be brought to the emergency room for treatment. If there is no need to be hospitalized you are still eligible for benefits. If you are are registered member, you won’t be asked for any requirements.)

Coverage by PhilHealth ranges from P12,000 to P18,000.

“May iba-iba na coverage depende sa serbisyo. Kung halimbawa the patient would opt to be admitted in a ward accommodation, mahirap man o hindi, in public or a private facility, dapat no copayment. However if you opt to be admitted in a non-ward accommodation, we expect some co-payments.”

(There are different types of coverage depending on services. If, for example, a patient would opt to be admitted in a ward accommodation whether you’re rich or poor, in a public or private hospital, there should be no copayment. However if you opt to be admitted in a non-ward accommodation, we expect some copayments.)

Newly installed PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado urged members to remain vigilant of any possible illness, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

He emphasized that it costs less to prevent illness rather than treat them.