Go wants to repeal confinement rule

SEN. Bong Go has reiterated his request to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to repeal the 24-hour confinement rule that requires patients to be hospitalized for at least a day to qualify for insurance coverage. As discussed during the October 2 hearing of the Senate Committee on Health chaired by the senator, he said the policy has been a significant financial burden for those needing emergency outpatient services. "PhilHealth should cover outpatient and emergency services. Many Filipinos are forced to pay for a hospital room to avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits, even when unnecessary. This change would reduce the expenses for our citizens," Go said. He emphasized that instead of paying for a hospital room that isn't needed, it would be better to use the funds for medicine and other medical expenses. He said changing the policy would significantly widen the scope of coverage, allowing more Filipinos to receive immediate medical attention without hospital admission. Go pointed out that such emergency cases could also prevent more serious ailments, which would cost more to both the patient and PhilHealth. "Why don't you prioritize prevention to prevent the disease from getting worse? There are many diseases that we can prevent early. Think PhilHealth. Think and care for the sick," Go said in Filipino. Go's call aligns with his persistent advocacy for PhilHealth to expand its coverage to preventive and outpatient care. He argued that preventive measures, including regular check-ups, early interventions and affordable access to necessary medicines, are more cost-effective and can prevent more severe health conditions. "Many illnesses can be prevented with proper care. We shouldn't wait for conditions to worsen before the government steps in to help our citizens," Go said. He reiterated his proposal to broaden PhilHealth's coverage to include costs for assistive devices such as prescription glasses, wheelchairs and crutches, emphasizing that PhilHealth funds should be used for programs that genuinely aid Filipinos with maladies. "I want to help ensure that every Filipino has access to the necessary healthcare services, especially during emergencies. These services should be within everyone's reach, and lack of money should not be a barrier to treatment," the senator said. Go has successfully appealed for the scrapping of PhilHealth's single period of confinement policy, which limited compensation for readmissions within 90 days. `