Dialysis organizations fear that expanding PhilHealth coverage will result in centers closing.

The Philippines' Dialysis Coalition issues a warning, stating that numerous treatment facilities may close as a result of PhilHealth's recent rise in benefits for dialysis.

The president of DCPI, Dr. Michael Manalaysay, claims that while this is a big benefit for patients, treatment facilities would be negatively impacted.

According to Manalaysay, hemodialysis sessions can cost anywhere between P5,200 and P6,000 in total, which is significantly more than the P4,000 package pricing.

“Sa lahat po ng centers, talagang malulugi po, it is way below what we spend for treatment… Hindi nila isinama yung provision na balance billing, so we can charge,” said Manalaysay on the sidelines of the Dialysis Stakeholders Summit held on July 17, 2024, in Pasig City.

The Dialysis PH Support Group Inc. worries that although the rise in dialysis benefits may assist patients, it might have an impact on the treatment facilities that they depend on. Although the group recognizes the advantages, they are worried that dialysis facilities might not be able to sustain the prices over time.

They feel that they will close and leave patients without a place to go if they don't make money. Although PhilHealth has committed to resolving the differences in the memorandum circular, several centers have already experienced financial losses in just 42 days.