Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The facade of the PhilHealth Head Office in Pasig City on September 5, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178522139852520200905-philhealth-facade-GC-3735.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The facade of the PhilHealth Head Office in Pasig City on September 5, 2020. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has increased its benefits for developmental disabilities as the country sees an increase in patients with special needs, the state health insurer said on Tuesday.</p><p>This, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the additional services in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/26/philhealth-eyes-p400-billion-in-payouts-amid-push-for-bigger-benefits-for-paying-members-1300">PhilHealth eyes P400-billion in payouts amid push for bigger benefits for paying members</a></div><p>“Sa aming tala, tumataas din yung prevalence or incidence ng developmental disabilities kagaya po diyan ay yung autism, yung cerebral palsy, iba-ibang global disability na dulot ng pagbabago sa ating environment,” said PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado.</p><p>“Ang nais po namin ay matugunan at mabigyan ng maagang lunas itong ating nakikita na may developmental disability para din po maging independent somehow ang ating mga pasyente,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/sona-2026-marcos-jr-assures-more-comprehensive-coverage-through-yakap-gamot-programs-1851">SONA 2026: Marcos Jr. assures more comprehensive coverage through YAKAP, GAMOT programs</a></div><p>Among the benefits for developmental disabilities are occupational therapy sessions and consultations that were increased from 90 sessions to 150 sessions.</p><p>The PhilHealth is also looking at covering more medicine as studies show that outpatient medicine is the largest component of its members’ medical expenses, Mercado said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/7/28/hiv-progress-in-real-danger-as-global-funding-plummets-0851">HIV progress in &#x27;real danger&#x27; as global funding plummets</a></div><p>In Marcos’ SONA, the President also vowed to provide a more comprehensive Universal Health Care coverage for Filipinos, including treatments for HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart problems, and tuberculosis.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YjTgTqfjfo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bd7Cj-hki0A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jnzWPjFM9nM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has increased its benefits for developmental disabilities as the country sees an increase in patients with special needs, the state health insurer said on Tuesday.</p>

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has increased its benefits for developmental disabilities as the country sees an increase in patients with special needs, the state health insurer said on Tuesday.

PhilHealth adds benefits for developmental disabilities as PH sees more patients with special needs

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PhilHealth adds benefits for developmental disabilities as PH sees more patients with special needs

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 28, 2026 02:59 PM PHT

Read More:

PhilHealth

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

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developmental disabilities

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