Patients who are candidate for heart bypass surgery may now avail of Philhealth’s Z-Benefit Package at state-of-the-art facilities of The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI).
TMCI and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Region VI (PhilHealth VI) on Friday inked a partnership for the Z-Benefit Package for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG).
The launching event was graced by PhilHealth representatives headed by its Regional Vice President Lourdes Diocson, Medical Officer and HCDMD Chief Dr. Bernadette Reynes and Medical Specialist Dr. Genaline Aguirre.
TMCI Cardiovascular Program team composed of head Dr. Louie Tirador, Thoracic and Cardio Surgeon Dr. Rafael Martin Hilado, and Cardio Anesthesiologist Dr. Felix Ruzen Fandinola, with Dr. Jared Billena and Executive Committee Members represented the hospital during the event, while City Councilor Dr. Candice Tupas read the written message of City Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
“The alarming rise of death rate attributed to cardiovascular disease has prompted PhilHealth to partner with The Medical City Iloilo to provide Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery,” said RVP Diocson of Philhealth.
Under PhilHealth’s Z-Benefit for CABG, the patient is entitled to a package rate of P550,000 for the entire course of treatment.
The P550,000 benefit package is the second highest benefit package being paid for by PhilHealth which covers drugs and medicines, operating room and professional fees, including mandatory and other services under Philhealth’s “Z-Benefit’ – or those illnesses perceived to be financially and medically catastrophic.
PhilHealth is confident that with the right management, competent multi-disciplinary team and cutting edge medical technology, The Medical City Iloilo is the key to the improvement of the heart conditions of our patients,” Diocson added.
With TMCI as a Z-Benefit Provider of CABG, patient-members are mandatorily provided with services such as preoperative laboratory tests, medications, blood support, open heart surgery and continuing post-operative care, among others.
“This is a welcome development for us With the increasing population affected by heart disease who die each year because of inaccessible and unaffordable treatment, it’s really time for us to help address this challenge,” said TMCI CEO Dr Eugene Ramos.
He added that TMC’s provision of Z-Benefit Package for CABG, the first in Western Visayas, is still part of their commitment of making health services accessible and available for the llonggos centered on their “patient partnership” philosophy.