PhilHealth Covers Up to P16,000 in Mental Health Services
Including tests and treatment for depression, anxiety, and other conditions.
(SPOT.ph) Mental health care may be less of a taboo in recent years, but actually getting treatment? That’s another story, especially when a single test or treatment can set you back thousands of pesos. Fortunately, PhilHealth has a benefit package for mental health so more Filipinos can get the support they need without worrying about the cost—and it’s actually been in place since 2023.
Although most people associate PhilHealth with hospital stays, its Outpatient Benefits Package for Mental Health covers assessments, follow-up consultations, diagnostic tests, and psychosocial support for conditions like depression, psychosis, epilepsy, dementia, self-harm risks, and mental and behavioral disorders. No hospital admission is necessary.
Also read: LIST: Mental Health Clinics in Manila for Support and Care
What to know about mental health package by PhilHealth
Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2023-0018, PhilHealth will cover up to P9,000 per year for general mental health services and P16,000 per year for specialized care.
This is a big upgrade from the previous mental health coverage, which only applied to inpatient care with a fixed case rate of P7,800 per admission.
General services can be accessed at rural health units, municipal or city health offices, Level 1 and 2 hospitals, Department of Health (DOH) mental health access sites, and accredited stand-alone mental health clinics. Those who need more specialized care can go to Level 2 and 3 hospitals, custodial care facilities, and national specialty centers.
The package also includes a referral system, allowing patient transfers up to twice a year between DOH-accredited facilities.
To ensure continuity of care, PhilHealth requires patients to be recorded in a Mental Health Registry. Those availing of the package will be given a Mental Health Passport, a treatment log that should be presented during follow-ups and referrals.
Members with questions about the new mental health package can reach PhilHealth at (02) 866-225-88 or via mobile at 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, 0917-127-5987, and 0917-110-9812.
Also read: We Tried Calling Mental Health Hotlines in the Philippines—This Is What Happened