Sunday, August 26, 2018

Laboratory Fees during Treatment


Hi .

I have a question.

After you have already the medicines against HIV, what about the labatories.
I mean the follow up results, are the free ?

A friend of mine is living in Antipolo , and he wants me to believe that this is not free. 
I am familiar with this kind of examination in Davao , and the lab follow-ups are free.

Thanks.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for finding the blog. 

Let me tell you the scenario of HIV Treatment in the Philippines.

First, after the HIV test from the testing facility, one needs to wait for the confirmatory test result. This may take for a minimum of 2 weeks before the document arrives at the testing facility. This waiting period may vary as this comes from the Department of Health SACCL in Manila. 

While waiting some HIV and AIDS Treatment hubs would accept the rapid test result or do another HIV screening to speed up the treatment process, so it is best that after the HIV test, go to the nearest treatment hub. 

In the treatment hub, specific tests will be prescribed. This includes, and may not be limited to, the chest X-ray, CBC, lipid profile and the CD4 test. If the hub is a government facility, these laboratory tests should be free. They come with a price if the hub is privately owned.

The next step is to file the PhilHealth benefit package. If you are employed, you have this already. If not, you can do it as voluntary member. The reason why you need to file for this is to ensure that you will have all the free laboratory tests every quarter or semiannual. This is the Out-patient HIV and AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package of PhilHealth.

Once the person gets the result of the labs, he or she will then be prescribed with free antiretroviral medicines (irregardless of the CD4 result, based on the new ARV guidelines). He or she will also be taking anti-TB meds for 6 months and may take other medicines if his or her CD4 falls below 200. The medicines may be free if they are available in the government hub, else they may have to buy them. If the CD4 is very low, let's say below 100, the doctor may also prescribe other laboratory tests which may not be covered by the OHAT package, thus the client needs to pay for these. Also, if the person already has opportunistic infections, the labs and medicines for these infections may lso not be covered by the OHAT Package. 

The first 2 weeks of treatment may be tedious as the client needs to go back to the hub to report for possible side effects of the antiretroviral and or the prophylactic medicines he or she are taking. If there are no side effects, then the client will be prescribed with 3 months supply of free antiretroviral medicines. The client is then advised upon quarterly visits for refill of ARV's to have a consultation with the doctor. Laboratory tests are repeated every quarter, and the Viral Load Test which is covered by the OHAT package, every year.

As you can see, there are laboratory tests that are free in the government treatment hubs. The only possible scenario wherein the client needs to pay for the labs are, when there are already opportunistic infections, or the CD4 count is below 100. In Antipolo, there are services under the Department of Social Welfare and Development which can provide assistance for the labs. This may be requested from the regional office and the city office of Antipolo. I know this because we have been referring economically challenged people living with HIV in Antipolo and the people in the City Health Office are very helpful especially when proven that the client is indigent.

This may also be true in other hubs in other cities. However, of course, one has to disclose his or her status to the government personnel to get access to these services. But, we have to do everything to get well, right? Anyway, tell your friend that everything is confidential and in Antipolo, they really respect that.

Saying all of this, your friend maybe telling the truth. There are just some things to consider, as mentioned above for paying for the laboratories. Other than that, everything is free.

I hope I was able to answer your question. Rest assured that I will reply to your email if you have other concerns.

Take care, and say hi to your friend for me.

Pozziepinoy




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