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The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is now offering a package for contraceptive implants to its women members. That means, yes, you can now get a birth control implant courtesy of the government.



Here’s what you need to know about it.



PhilHealth is calling it the “Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Package” and it is “to increase access to long acting reversible family planning methods,” according to PhilHealth Circular No. 038-2015



Birth control implants release a synthetic hormone called progestin that keeps a woman’s eggs in her ovaries, thus preventing fertilization and pregnancy. Small and matchstick-shaped, the procedure entails inserting one under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. It’s a relatively painless procedure requiring no incisions.



It’s reversible because its effect only last up to three years.



The subdermal contraceptive implant package will cover P3,000 in fees per case; P1,200 goes to professional fees and P1,800 to health care institution fees.



The amount will cover consultation and counseling prior to the procedure, use of facility and the procedure itself, medicine and supplies including the implant and, follow-up and counseling after the procedure.



The package from PhilHealth may be availed of once every two years. That’s okay since the implant, as we’ve mentioned, lasts longer than this.



The package has been available since Jan. 1, 2016 as an out-patient or in-patient service at accredited health care institutions and accredited health care professionals, including midwives. So, yes, you can avail of the package now!



The Department of Health will handle training and certification of healthcare providers to ensure competence in subdermal contraceptive implant techniques.



Here are the requirements you’ll be needing to file for a claim for this package (which has the package code FP001, by the way):

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PhilHealth Benefit Eligibility Form (PBEF) as proof that you’re eligible for this package. You can also provide a Member Data Record (MDR); a proof of premium payment (for individually paynig and overseas workder members); or PhilHealth ID (for indigent, sponsored and lifetime members).

as proof that you’re eligible for this package. You can also provide a Member Data Record (MDR); a proof of premium payment (for individually paynig and overseas workder members); or PhilHealth ID (for indigent, sponsored and lifetime members). PhilHealth Claim Form 2 (CF2) filled out by a health care provider.

Note: You’ll also need a PhilHealth Claim Form 1 (CF1) if your PBEF was denied.

Reimbursement claims should be filed within 60 days after the procedure. Don't forget or your claim will be denied.



And, that’s all the information we can give you about PhilHealth’s new contraceptive implant package. The circular can be found here if you want to read through the whole of it.





Photo of implant from mariestopes.org.za