The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has introduced the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package, effective January 1, following PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0033. This initiative allows coverage for emergency procedures and services for patients who do not require hospitalization. The OECB benefits include outpatient services rendered at emergency departments (ED) and accredited healthcare facilities, extending to services before patient arrival, such as transport to the ED.

Patients discharged within 24 hours of arrival at the ED or those not requiring admission are eligible for coverage. The benefits encompass various medical conditions such as dizziness, diarrhoea, severe headaches, and nontraumatic bleeding, along with essential emergency care services like diagnostic tests, imaging, and medications. This package is also available to Filipinos abroad and foreign nationals registered with PhilHealth.

While beneficiaries are encouraged to seek care at OECB-accredited facilities, those using non-accredited services must cover costs out-of-pocket or through other insurance mechanisms. Following discharge, patients will be referred to a Konsulta primary care provider for follow-up care. The Konsulta package includes free consultations and targeted health screenings but requires registration with an accredited provider. As of December, PhilHealth listed 3,117 accredited Konsulta providers nationwide, emphasizing the importance of supporting acute care for non-admitted patients in emergency settings.