PhilHealth: 123 facilities offer heart surgery under Z Benefits

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Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has 123 hospitals and other healthcare facilities that provide heart surgery under its Z Benefit program as of June 30, 2026, President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beverly Ho said Sunday.

Ho made this disclosure during the World Heart Day celebration in Manila, where she presented the health benefits offered by PhilHealth.

“This is an important network, but we recognize that we need more, more providers, particularly in areas where access to specialized cardiac care remains limited,” she said.

Ho said PhilHealth looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Philippine Heart Association and the cardiac care community.

The Z Benefit packages cover healthcare services and rates for “Case Type Z,” or serious illnesses that may require long hospital stays and could lead to poor outcomes without early treatment.

The packages include benefits for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, total correction of tetralogy of Fallot and surgery for ventricular septal defect in children, among others.

“PhilHealth is continuing to expand our cardiovascular benefits in response to the evolving healthcare needs, and among the areas in the pipeline is the expansion of coverage for emergency CABG surgery, recognizing that in cardiovascular emergencies, timely intervention can be life-saving and life-changing,” Ho said.

CABG surgery is an operation used to improve blood flow to the heart when the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed.

“We are also looking towards expanding coverage for congenital heart disorders, particularly to further support children and families who require specialized cardiac care,” she added.

World Heart Day is observed every September 29 as the World Health Organization, its member states and other stakeholders renew their commitment to reducing preventable and premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases.

WHO has also referred to September 29 as World Heart Day in its previous observances. — MCG, GMA News