The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) reminded the public that breast cancer treatment is included in the Z Benefits package it offers to its members.
The state insurer issued the reminder after a cancer expert sounded the alarm on the continuous prevalence of breast cancer in the Philippines during a breast cancer forum in Makati City last Tuesday.
According to the latest data from the Global Cancer Observatory, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the Philippines with 27,163 cases, equivalent to 17.7% of all new cancer cases in both sexes in 2020 or 31.4% among Filipino women.
“Covered po sa ating Z Benefits hanggang P100,000 ang pagpapagamot sa breast cancer mula Stage 0 hanggang Stage IIIA,” PhilHealth acting president and chief executive officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said.
Moreover, the PhilHealth chief said the Z Benefits package also includes coverage for the treatment of low to intermediate risk prostate cancer up to P100,000 and chemoradiation and primary surgery for cervical cancer up to P120,000.
“Alam natin na malaking pasanin ang cancer kaya naman natutuwa kami na kahit papaano ay mabibigyan natin ng ginhawa ang mga pamilyang nahihirapan sa pagpapagamot ng sakit na ito,” he said.
“Ang Z Benefits ay kabilang din po sa pagtugon at pagtulong ng PhilHealth sa layunin ng National Integrated Cancer Control Act na mapabuti ang cancer survivorship sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatibay sa mga essential programs at pagdagdag ng investments para sa cancer care continuum,” Ledesma added.
Introduced in 2012, PhilHealth’s Z-Benefits package primarily addresses catastrophic cases and includes mandatory services for the totality of care that are essential for the treatment of these conditions, Ledesma said.
“The Z Benefits aim to provide financial risk protection to members and beneficiaries and
achieve better health outcomes of patients by providing a rational intervention to standardize care and improving the system delivery of services in the country,” he added.
According to the latest data from the Global Cancer Observatory, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the Philippines with 27,163 cases, equivalent to 17.7% of all new cancer cases in both sexes in 2020 or 31.4% among Filipino women.
The same report shows cervical cancer as the second leading cancer among Filipino women, while prostate cancer is the third most common form of cancer among Filipino men.
