PhilHealth offers benefits for hearing-impaired kids

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is urging hospitals in the Zamboanga region to secure "Z Benefits" accreditation to enable them to offer the program to children with hearing impairment.

Bryan Jabay, PhilHealth 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) information officer, made the call as he announced on Wednesday the program's availability in the region pursuant to PhilHealth Circular No. 2018-0011.   

“The program is already in place, however, no (health) facility yet in the region has applied for accreditation so they can offer the Z Benefits for children with impaired hearing,” Jabay said.

The Z Benefits package is designed to prevent catastrophic spending among the marginalized sectors that are enrolled in the program while ensuring the provision of quality health care services.

Hospitals securing Z Benefits accreditation must have the needed facilities, equipment, and the specialist to attend to children with this kind of health condition.

Jabay said those who can avail of the Z Benefits package are children aged zero to 17 years, duly assessed by a specialist. The package includes diagnostics, provision of hearing aids, hearing aid fitting, battery and ear mold, and speech therapy.

Jabay said PhilHealth pays PHP53,460 for children zero to less than three years old at the time of approval of pre-authorization assessment and hearing aid provision with moderate hearing loss and PHP67,100 for those with severe to profound hearing loss.

He said the health insurance agency pays PHP45,400 for children three to less than six years old with moderate hearing loss and PHP54,100 for those with severe to profound hearing loss.

PhilHealth, Jabay said, pays PHP43,880 for children six to less than 18 years old at the time of approval of the pre-authorization assessment and hearing aid provision with moderate hearing loss.

Payment for speech therapy assessment and session for moderate hearing loss is PHP22,100, and PHP63,420 for severe to profound hearing loss, he added. (PNA)