(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced expanded maternity benefits under Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) starting April 30.
In a video message, Marcos said the expanded coverage included higher benefits for normal and cesarean deliveries, prenatal checkups and postnatal care coverage.
For normal deliveries, the president said PhilHealth coverage would be raised to P29,000 from P9,750.
He said PhilHealth coverage for caesarean deliveries would also be increased from P37,000 to P58,000 up to P62,000.
“In many cases, if a mother gives birth in a ward, even in a private hospital, there may be nothing to pay upon discharge,” Marcos said.
The president also said prenatal care coverage has been expanded from four to eight checkups, now including vaccines and laboratory tests.
He said that postnatal care has also been improved, with three follow-up visits now covered.
“Our goal is simple: to ensure that every mother can give birth safely without worrying about where to get money,” Marcos said.
“We want no life to be put at risk simply due to lack of money,” he added.
