by: Janna Marie Pineda 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to expanding healthcare benefits, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has significantly enhanced its Z Benefit Package for Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), effective January 1, 2025. The new package includes separate coverage for adult and pediatric patients.

Peritoneal dialysis is a renal replacement therapy that uses the patient’s peritoneal membrane as an artificial kidney, according to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

The updated PD package offers different modalities based on age. For adults, PhilHealth covers Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), while pediatric patients can access both CAPD and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD).

“We want to encourage the use of peritoneal dialysis as a first-line treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5,” said PhilHealth President Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr.

“This option promotes flexibility and improves the quality of life for our members,” he added.

Coverage for adult patients ranges from P389,640 to P510,140, an increase from the previous annual cap of P270,000.

Pediatric patients can receive P510,000 to P765,210 for CAPD and P763,000 to P1.2 million for APD.

The package also includes coverage for related services like infection prevention and treatment for both adult and pediatric patients.

Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 must register in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database and adhere to membership guidelines and treatment plans.

Sharing or selling PD solutions is strictly prohibited.

Contracted providers cannot charge co-payments for essential services but may do so for non-covered amenities.

Providers must clearly communicate any co-payment requirements to patients.

The enhanced PD benefits are available at 51 contracted PD providers nationwide.

For more information, visit PhilHealth’s website or call the 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or mobile numbers 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, 0917-127-5987, or 0917-110-9812. (JCO/PIA-NCR)

(PIA file photo)