Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4331

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE PACKAGE RATE FOR DIALYSIS TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF
THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM TO THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN
‘THOUSAND PESOS PER YEAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Based on the Department of Health data, renal disease
death among Filipinos where seven thousand pati
least 120,000 cases of kidney failures occur
kidney failure are service patients

among the top ten (10) causes of
nnts die each year due to kidney malfunction. At
year and about 60% of patients with chronic

Presently, the steep cost of hemodialysis has pushed marginalized patients to beg around for
assistance in order to pay for their treatment. On August 27, 2015, the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (Phillicalth) issued Circular No. 024-2015, which increased the dialysis sessions
covered from 45 to 90 sessions per year and pegged hemodialysis expense to Php2,600 per session.
The new cost is Php1,400 less from the previous Php4,000 per session.

Circular No, 024-2015 maintained the regular benefit limit of forty five (45) days for the

principal member and another forty five (45) days shared by all qualified dependents per calendar

year. In other words, it provided for a sharing arrangement for the prineipal member and one (1)
» they are both undergoing dialysis, for the maximum of 90 sessions only.

Likewise, the new package removed the injection of epoetin alfa or beta that was previously
included in the old case rate for dialysis. Hence, increasing the out-of-the-pocket expenses of
patients in the form of co-pay;mechanisms, injections and laboratory procedur

or these reasons, this bill,seeks to mandate PhilHealth to increase its package rate for
dialysis treatment to Php3is,000 covering a maximum of ninety sessions per year for each of the
principal and dependent member in order to adequately provide for their dialysis treatment.

It is hoped that with the passage of this measure into law, the financial burden of patients
will be alleviated and the pressing problem of renal diseases in the country will be addr

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

vonuna cual Lt TAN, M.D.

4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse BiLLNo, 4391

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE PACKAGE RATE FOR DIALYSIS TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF
THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM TO THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN
‘THOUSAND PESOS PER YEAR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congre
assembled:

“TION 1. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) sha
package rate for dialysis treatment of the principal member and each of his/her qualified dependent
to three hundred fifteen thousand pesos (Php315,000.00) covering ninety (90) sessions per year.

se rate amount shall be exclusive of hospital charges and professional fees of attending
An.

increase the

SEC. 2. Hospitals, dialysis centers and other health facilities shall comply with the safety
and quality standards of dialysis services, which shall be strictly monitored by the PhilHalth and
the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH).

s centers and other health fa
and prevalence of renal diseases to the Philippine Renal Disease
try of the DOH as a requirement for the renewal of their DOH licenses to operate or their
application for a license to operate a hemodialysis center or unit.

SEC. 3. Private and public hospitals, dial)
mandated to report incidence
Re
ini

©. 4. The DOH, shall, after due proce
sanctions to be meted out to hospitals, dialysis cent
violated Sections 2 and g of this Act.

s, determine the
and health fac

propriate administrati
ies which are found to have

SEC. 5. A periodic assessment and reasonable adjustments of the benefit package for
dialysis patients shall be made by the PhilHealth after taking into consideration its financial
capability and changes in the socioeconomic conditions of the country.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the President of the PhilHealth
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Health, issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazzet
or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,