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Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star
March 6, 2025 | 12:00am
“We will abide by whatever the decision of the high court is,” acting PhilHealth president Edwin Mercado said yesterday.
STAR / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines — If ordered by the Supreme Court (SC), the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will seek the return of its P60-billion fund from the national treasury.
“We will abide by whatever the decision of the high court is,” acting PhilHealth president Edwin Mercado said yesterday.
SC Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr. earlier said the government should return to the state health insurer the P60 billion it transmitted to the national treasury for unprogrammed appropriations.
Kho also suggested an overhaul of the PhilHealth board for failing to comply with the law.
PhilHealth board members’ performance is being assessed regularly, Mercado said.
The insurer, he noted, has set up a matrix system to assess each member’s contribution to the agency’s operation.
Mental health package
Meanwhile, Filipinos are encouraged to avail themselves of PhilHealth’s mental health package.
Outpatient services covered are initial assessments, follow-up consultations, diagnostic tests and psychosocial support.
Patients requiring specialized care can access interventions from psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists.
Annual coverage for general mental health services is set at P9,000, while P16,000 is for specialized care.
People experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health distress are also advised by PhilHealth to call hotline 1553 for immediate counseling.
