Filipinos may avail of permanent contraception procedures under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
In a news release, PhilHealth Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. has reminded its members and their dependents that several permanent contraception procedures are covered by the state-run health insurer.
“We would like to inform everyone that these benefits are automatically given and available at all PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and ambulatory surgical clinics and primary care facilities,” Ledesma said.
PhilHealth will cover permanent contraception procedures such as vasectomy for men and ligation or transection of fallopian tubes for women.
PhilHealth covers both healthcare facility fee and physician fee components for voluntary surgical contraception procedures.
The physician fee component includes family planning counseling and client assessment, as well as intra-operative services including the provision of anesthesia.
“Kasama sa healthcare facility fee component ang room and board sa ospital o clinic; mga gamot na gagamitin sa operasyon at habang naka-confine; X-ray, laboratory, at iba pang ancillary procedures and services; at supplies na gagamitin sa mismong operation at during confinement,” he said.
Post-operative consultation within 90 days from the day of surgery including dressing changes, local incision care, removal of sutures and management of complications that do not require hospitalization are also covered.
“These benefits form part of our Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-related benefits. Kasama rin ang outpatient treatment para sa malaria, HIV-AIDS, and tuberculosis,” he added.
PhilHealth also covers long-term but reversible birth control measures, specifically, the insertion of intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants.
Among the Philippines’ SDGs is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all Filipinos at all ages,” with the target of ensuring “universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs” by 2030.
The Philippine Statistics Authorityreported the Philippines has a total population of 109,035,343 as of 2020. – PNA
April 25, 2024
