Starting this July 2024, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will provide free mammograms and ultrasounds to women all over the country yearly. House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced this initiative, emphasizing the importance of early detection and prevention in combating breast cancer.
PhilHealth women members will soon have access to these essential screening tests, which can help identify potential health issues and provide timely medical intervention if needed. This move is expected to significantly improve the healthcare landscape for women in the Philippines and underscore the government's commitment to promoting women's health and well-being.
PhilHealth is drafting the necessary implementing rules and regulations to outline the procedures and requirements for its members to take advantage of the free mammogram and ultrasound services. After the rules are approved, they will be presented to the PhilHealth board.
As of writing, free mammogram and ultrasound services in private hospitals remain uncertain. However, according to PhilHealth, these services will be subsidized to some extent, making them more accessible and affordable for patients.
Earlier this month, PhilHealth made a positive move by increasing its benefits package for breast cancer. The new package now offers PhP1.4 million, a significant increase from its previous PhP100,000.
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