MANILA, Philippines -- Patients diagnosed with leptospirosis contracted during the floods that inundated Metro Manila and neighboring regions early this month will receive automatic coverage from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. even if they are not members, Health Secretary Enrique Ona announced Saturday.
A circular from Philhealth said non-members living in flood-affected areas will receive the same benefits due PhilHealth members.
For non-members less than 21 years of age and whose parents are not members, one parent shall be automatically covered, said the DOH.
They will not be required to pay PhilHealth premiums but will be considered members for the year covering August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013.
They will also be given PhilHealth member cards that will be applicable for all hospital admissions starting August 7 until the end of the month.
PhilHealth will be paying P11,000 for moderate leptospirosis cases admitted to hospitals starting August 7 while severe cases will be reimbursed the fees for service.
As of August 22, or two weeks after the floods, 34 people had died from the disease, which is normally contracted through contact with floodwaters contaminated by the urine of infected animals, usually rats.
The DOH has placed all government hospitals in Metro Manila under Code Blue Alert, authorizing them to delay non-emergency surgical procedures to focus on treating leptospirosis cases.
In severe cases, leptospirosis can affect the kidneys and can be life-threatening.
The DOH said some of the 783 infected flood victims are already undergoing dialysis in government health facilities.
It added that dialysis in Metro Manila government hospitals would be given free of charge to flood victims.
source: interaksyon.com
