Pay the Price

COVID-19 is not just a hazard to everyone’s health but it also perils wallets and bank accounts. Being a COVID-19 positive patient requires one to be tested, take medicine, be intubated, and be in a medical facility. Since everything about the disease is new to everyone, some of us might be curious of how much it exactly costs to be admitted due to the pandemic.

According to an article posted by ABS-CBN News on April 4, 2020, PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales stated in an interview with DZMM that so far, the highest hospitalization bill that they will be covering is P2.8 million. This varies for every patient since not everyone experiences the same conditions.

For most Filipinos, medical bills are almost just as worrying as having the disease itself. Luckily, the hospitalization of COVID-19 patients is currently covered by PhilHealth. In a statement posted in their website, PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales assured Filipinos “that even under the period of this pandemic it intends to fulfill its mandate under the Universal Health Care Law of providing adequate health service to all Filipinos when needed.”

The reason for the full coverage of costs on all cases before April 14, 2020 is that there was not much known about the disease yet. “Wala pa tayong case rate, bago kasi itong COVID-19 na ito. Iba talaga ‘yung gamot na gagamitin panglunas ano. By April 14, meron na tayong datos,” Morales said in an article published by ABS-CBN News.

They also noted that if patients have already paid for their bills, they may opt to register and request for reimbursement. Nevertheless, we must stay vigilant at all times since we are not yet near the end of this pandemic. Taking care of ourselves and following safety measures are a must during these times. Our health is more important than any wealth out there.

How much will PhilHealth shoulder?

Dates Covered	COVID-19 Conditions	Total Coverage
Until April 14, 2020	All COVID-19 Cases	Full Cost
April 15, 2020 Onwards	Mild Pneumonia in the elderly or with co-morbidities	P 43, 997
Moderate Pneumonia	P 143, 267
Severe Pneumonia	P 333, 519
Critical Pneumonia	P 786, 384