CALAMBA CITY, LAGUNA — Patients facing major heart surgery, kidney failure and childhood hearing impairment will have expanded access to specialized healthcare as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region IV-A and Calamba Medical Center (CMC) formalized a partnership for the delivery of selected Z Benefit packages.
The agreement, signed September 16, 2026, strengthens CMC’s role as an accredited provider of Z Benefit services covering Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, peritoneal dialysis, and hearing impairment services for children aged 0 to 17 years.
The development comes as healthcare costs for complex and long-term medical conditions continue to pose a major financial challenge to patients and their families.
Under the enhanced CABG Z Benefit, qualified patients may receive coverage of up to ₱660,000 for standard-risk cases and as much as ₱960,000 for expanded or high-risk cases with co-morbidities.
The benefit extends beyond the operation, with coverage including specified medicines, laboratory and diagnostic services and up to six cardiac rehabilitation sessions for eligible beneficiaries.
Up to ₱1.269 million for pediatric dialysis
For patients with kidney failure, the enhanced Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Z Benefit offers coverage that allows qualified beneficiaries to undergo kidney replacement therapy through a treatment that can be performed at home.
The annual coverage reaches up to ₱510,140 for adult CAPD, ₱765,210 for pediatric CAPD, and ₱1.269 million for pediatric APD, depending on the treatment prescribed.
Covered services include catheter insertion and initiation, infection prevention, treatment of peritonitis, and specified laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
Unlike conventional dialysis that generally requires patients to regularly visit a dialysis center, peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen—the peritoneum—as a natural filter to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood.
Support for children with hearing impairment
The partnership also opens access to PhilHealth’s Z Benefit for Children with Hearing Impairment, covering applicable assessment, hearing-aid and habilitation services for qualified children.
The program is intended to help eligible families obtain specialized interventions during the critical developmental years of children with hearing impairment.
The MOA was signed by Dr. Edwin Oriña, PhilHealth Region IV-A Regional Vice President, and Atty. Pilar Nenuca P. Almira, President and CEO of Calamba Medical Center.
For CMC, the agreement reinforces its commitment to providing specialized healthcare services in CALABARZON under its brand promise, “Kalingang may Husay at Puso.”
PhilHealth and CMC emphasized the importance of proper assessment and eligibility verification, as coverage and services depend on the specific requirements and conditions under each Z Benefit package.
Patients and families interested in availing themselves of the benefits may coordinate directly with PhilHealth or Calamba Medical Center to determine eligibility, documentary requirements and the procedures for accessing the covered services.