Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the leading cause of death in the Philippines, with access to timely and life-saving interventions remain alarmingly limited—especially in areas outside the National Capital Region.
Health experts warn that this persistent gap in healthcare services contributes to the number of incidents and underscores the urgent need for more inclusive, research-driven solutions across the country.
During the recent Talakayang HeaRTBeat media event held at Arden Hills Suites in Quezon City, the results of research projects supported by the Philhealth STUDIES or Supporting the Thrust for Universal Health Care through Data, Information, and Knowledge Exchange Systems program were presented.
One of the key outputs is the Benefit Package for Ischemic Heart Disease – Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), developed by a team led by Dr. Lester Sam A. Geroy of the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes.
This initiative was designed to ease the financial burden of treatment for heart attack patients, especially those suffering from ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)—a severe and life-threatening type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of a major artery supplying blood to the heart.
The package includes four main components: percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), fibrinolysis, emergency medical services (EMS) with coordinated interfacility transfers, and cardiac rehabilitation.
This study aims to improve the accessibility of healthcare services for patients with STEMI or heart attacks. STEMI is a type of heart disease in which a blood vessel supplying blood to the heart is blocked. In the Philippines, STEMI accounts for the highest number of deaths caused by heart disease.
With the help of this study, the Benefit Package for Ischemic Heart Disease or Myocardial Infarction was successfully developed and formalized through Philhealth Circular 2024-0032.
The circular aims to provide a comprehensive benefit package for patients with both STEMI and non-STEMI—serious heart conditions that are among the leading causes of death in the Philippines.
Through this benefit, Philhealth seeks to ensure that patients receive the right treatment, at the right time, and in the right facility.
The Philhealth Circular 2024-0032 also introduces several key innovations. It establishes clear referral protocols across different levels of hospitals—from primary care to tertiary facilities—to ensure the prompt and efficient transfer of patients, especially those with AMI who require urgent care.
It also introduces a modern, incentive-based payment mechanism that links provider compensation to the quality of treatment outcomes, rather than the volume of services delivered. Finally, the package addresses not only the medical but also the financial needs of patients and their families.
The package significantly expands coverage for heart attack services, with package rates of:
- PhP523,853 for PCI
- PhP133,500 for fibrinolysis
- PhP21,900 for EMS with coordinated interfacility transfer
- PhP86,140 for cardiac rehabilitation
According to Dr. Melanie C. Santillan, senior manager of Philhealth, the overall goal of the benefit packages is really for economic development.
“We don’t want Filipinos to get sick, and we want them to access primary care services so they can be taken care of early, preventing illness, dialysis, or open-heart surgery later on. Through consultation benefit package, they can receive lifestyle modification consultations, laboratory and diagnostic services like ECGs for those with heart conditions, and even free medicines,” explained Dr. Santillan
She added that if only Filipinos knew their benefits and entitlements, they would be able to access these services, and it would contribute to helping every Filipino and promote economic growth.
Benefit Package for Mental Health
Another significant outcome of the Philhealth STUDIES is the “Development of Benefit Package for Mental Health,” aimed at supporting Filipinos in need of mental health services.
The research aims to provide financial risk protection for mental health patients in addition to aligning with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, the study also responds to the Philippine Mental Health Act, which mandates the creation of financing mechanisms for mental health services.
The study offers several key recommendations for implementing the benefit package, including strengthening the capacity of health facilities to deliver mental health services, conducting a pilot implementation in selected areas before a nationwide rollout, and adopting the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) in all local government units (LGUs) to enhance service delivery.
These steps aim to ensure that the benefit package is both practical and effective across the country
Benefit packages for physical rehab and assistive mobility devices
Lastly, the “Development of Rehabilitation Package for Adults”—led by Dr. Josephine Bundoc of Physicians for Peace Philippines—aims to provide financial protection for Filipinos needing rehabilitation due to chronic pain, back pain, COPD, hip fractures, and arthritis—conditions that often require long-term, costly care.
The study recommends strengthening health facilities and professionals, implementing systems to monitor rehabilitation services, and providing assistive mobility devices to healthcare providers. This led to the creation of the Benefit Package for Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation Services, and Assistive Mobility Devices, formalized through Philhealth Circular 2025-003.
The package offers affordable and comprehensive services, including assessments, therapy sessions, lab tests, medications, and devices like wheelchairs and crutches. It also sets quality standards, provider requirements, and referral protocols.
This initiative underscores how research and collaboration can support inclusive health policies and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and others in need of functional recovery.
The Philhealth STUDIES program is a joint initiative of Philhealth and the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) aimed at making healthcare services more accessible and affordable.
It supports health financing reforms by funding research projects aligned with the Philhealth Research Agenda.
In addition to research funding, the program also invests in capacity-building activities to strengthen Philhealth’s ability to conduct studies and use findings for data-driven decision-making in the healthcare system.
Moreover, Philhealth STUDIES promotes research dissemination by sharing study results with stakeholders and the public, ensuring that data is translated into effective health financing policies.
The program plays a critical role in supporting the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law by contributing to the development of comprehensive, evidence-based health benefit packages. Through these efforts, the Philhealth STUDIES helps advance a more efficient and equitable healthcare system in the Philippines.
“Research is essential in crafting health policies and programs that address the real-world needs of persons with disabilities,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya. “The PhilHealth STUDIES Program bridges health policymakers with research that enhances healthcare accessibility for Filipinos.”
Dr. Montoya emphasized that through evidence-based health policy reforms, Philhealth and DOST-PCHRD remain committed to making healthcare more accessible. “By intensifying support for persons with critical health conditions, we reinforce the fundamental belief that quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” he concluded.
The Philhealth STUDIES is an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the DOST mission of OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All.
For more information, visit www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)
