Filipinos presumed of being infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-190 may now get tested for free.
President Duterte ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to shoulder the cost. This is to ensure the public to be worry-free about the expenses that can be incurred for seeking treatment.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will shoulder COVID-19 testing costs as well as quarantine and isolation costs.
“The President recognizes that everyone in the country is concerned about COVID-19 and the threat it poses to the health and lives of our loved ones, especially vulnerable individuals like senior citizens,” Nograles, a member of the interagency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases, said.
“The last thing we want is for our citizens to worry about medical costs and expenses. Their only concern should be their well-being and the well-being of their families,” Nograles said in a statement.
PhilHealth chief executive officer Ricardo Morales informed Duterte that the agency is in the process of formalizing and operationalizing the new benefit.
Ricardo Morales PhilHealth chief executive officer advised President Duterte that the agency is in the process of validating the new benefit.
The government is also working overtime to ensure adequate supply of COVID-19 testing kits and hasten identification and isolation of infected individuals.
Additional report: Christina Mendez Philstar
Image source: Philhealth, MB, BusinessMirror
