THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corporation XI will provide the P1.4-M “Z-Benefit” package worth of medical services for the 27 identified patients with breast cancer in Davao Region.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Ecoland on May 6, Dr. Giannelli Kristine Remocaldo, PhilHealth XI medical evaluator, said the budget increased from P100,000 to P1.4-M due to the increasing number of breast cancer cases.
As of the latest data, PhilHealth XI has received 27 claims in Davao Region in 2024. Members can only avail of the Z-Benefit package, which covers surgeries, breast ultrasound, mammogram, chemo, and radiation therapy, depending on the patient’s needs.
Remocaldo highlighted that breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the Philippines and worldwide among males and females. It also is the third deadliest cancer in the Philippines.
“So may need talaga for PhilHealth to give financial coverage to all our members. So from P100,000, we increased the Z-Benefit package for breast cancer to P1.4M,” she said.
Remocaldo added that there are 21 contracted hospitals in the Philippines offering the Z-Benefit packages. Davao Region currently has two hospitals offering the packages, SPMC in Davao City, and DRMC in Tagum City.
She also added that breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers and can be prevented via early detection, monthly examinations, and regular visits to the doctor.
“That is why through our consulta package, our outpatient primary benefit package, pwede rin naming maisulong ang prevention of breast cancer because starting June or July of this year, ipapasok na po ang breast ultrasound and mammogram in our consulta package,” she said.
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in the world, ranking in second place in 2023. According to an article from the Philippine News Agency in 2023, 65% of breast cancer cases in the Philippines are diagnosed in the advanced or late stages due to inadequate treatments and early detection.
