Serious cases of pertussis can receive coverage of up to P90,000 through PhilHealth.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) would pay up to P90,000 to hospitalized pertussis patients; the current case rate is between P13,780 and P19,500, which includes hospital and professional fees.

But in the event that a patient contracts severe pneumonia—a frequent side effect of the illness—the maximum amount covered by the PhilHealth insurance package is P90,100.

“We understand the concerns surrounding pertussis treatment and want to reassure the public that PhilHealth is fully committed to supporting individuals needing inpatient care for this illness,” Ledesma said.

Every Filipino is automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program run by PhilHealth under Republic Act No. 11223, often known as the Universal Health Care Act, regardless of whether they make contributions or not.

Those experiencing symptoms of pertussis like a mild fever, cough, or cold can consult a doctor under PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) package, Ledesma added.

“If our kababayans need medical consultation, I encourage them to avail themselves of the free consultation and the medicines they need to treat the disease as recommended by the health-care provider under PhilHealth Konsulta. All they have to do is register,” he said.

In addition to prescription pharmaceuticals and medications that the healthcare professional recommends, the package includes free consultation, focused health risk screening and assessment, a few laboratory and diagnostic tests, and more.

In order to receive the package, a person must first register with one of the 2,161 authorized PhilHealth Konsulta providers in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) and medical associations have advised parents to vaccinate their children against pertussis, even though the illness is curable with antibiotics.

The three-dose basic pentavalent vaccination is free for newborns at barangay health clinics. When they are six weeks, ten weeks, and fourteen weeks old, the injections have to be given. The pentavalent (5-in-1) vaccine not only guards against pertussis but also against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

For older children, adults, and pregnant women, the Philippine College of Physicians advises booster pertussis vaccinations; however, neither PhilHealth nor health clinics offer these for free.