THE controversial single period of confinement policy will be scrapped by the end of September 2024, as committed by PhilHealth officials during the recent Senate Committee on Health Public Hearing held last September 10.

This came after persistent efforts of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health who has has long been vocal about the need to abolish this policy, which prevents patients from availing PhilHealth coverage for the same illness within a short time frame, leading to unnecessary burdens on Filipino families.

Go’s relentless appeals to PhilHealth have finally yielded results, with the health insurance agency committing to implement the change. Go underscored the policy’s negative impact on the public, particularly for patients suffering from recurring illnesses.

PhilHealth COO Atty. Eli Santos confirmed that the agency would comply with Go’s appeals.

“We will include the removal of this provision on a single period of confinement when we implement, or we come up with a policy or the increase of the case rates, probably from 30 to 50 percent increase,” Santos said.

However, Go pushed for immediate action, urging PhilHealth to remove the policy independently of other planned adjustments.

In response, Santos eventually conceded: “Yes, Mr. Chairperson, we’ll comply immediately. We’ll remove it.”

Go emphasized that the removal of the policy is a critical step in improving healthcare access for all Filipinos.

“Ayon sa PhilHealth, tatanggalin na nila ang single confinement policy by the end of September,” said Go during the hearing. “Maraming Pilipino ang hindi nabibigyan ng tamang benepisyo dahil dito, kaya’t mabuti na lang at nakinig ang PhilHealth sa ating mga hinaing.”

Go had repeatedly criticized the policy as illogical, noting that illnesses such as pneumonia and pregnancy complications are unpredictable and cannot be limited by arbitrary timelines.

Two case studies were highlighted during the hearing to demonstrate the detrimental effects of the policy. One case involved Elena Abilar, whose child, born with special needs, was denied coverage for multiple pneumonia admissions within a short period. She tearfully recalled how PhilHealth advised the hospital to change the diagnosis to secure coverage for her child.

Another case involved Mang Boy, whose mother was suffering from emphysema. After being readmitted due to complications, the hospital informed them that PhilHealth’s policy only allowed coverage once every six months. Mang Boy expressed his disbelief, noting that despite paying contributions for years, his family was left to shoulder the costs when they needed coverage the most.

“Year after year, magbabayad ka. Tapos kung kailangan mong gamitin, limitado ang paggamit… Pangit naman ‘yung ganun,” Mang Boy lamented.

Go’s persistence led to a firm commitment from PhilHealth that the single confinement policy would be abolished by the end of September, aside from other reforms they committed such as increasing case rates, expanding benefits and recommending the lowering of premium contributions of direct members.

The removal of this policy is expected to provide relief for patients and their families who have faced challenges due to the limitations imposed by the single period of confinement rule. As PhilHealth implements this change, Senator Go’s ongoing efforts are recognized as having played a key role in prompting such reforms to better protect Filipinos.