Caritas Health Shield to appeal IC’s cease and desist order

Health maintenance organization (HMO) Caritas Health Shield said Friday it will appeal before the Insurance Commission (IC) to lift an order prohibiting the company from selling HMO products.

“In support of the health insurance company’s undertaking, it is set to file a petition with the Insurance Commission to lift the cease and desist order on new accounts acquisition,” Caritas Health said in a statement.

The IC, on Wednesday, said it has issued a cease and desist order against Caritas Health, ordering it to stop selling HMO products or transacting new HMO business.

The stop order was prompted by numerous complaints the IC received on the alleged fraudulent swiping of credit or debit cards and misrepresentations by the company’s sales agents.

Caritas Health said it “does not condone spurious, dishonorable behavior and misrepresentation among any members of its staff.”

The company said it immediately discontinued all on-ground, all-based selling activities to address the negative feedback it received from certain clients and prospective customers.

It also implemented a thorough investigation and assessment of its sales force, in addition to recalibrating its entire sales program.

“We have sufficiently addressed practically all of the issues and concerns to the satisfaction of the affected parties,” Caritas Health Shield president and CEO Mariano Katipunan Jr. claimed.

“We assure the public that Caritas Health Shield will continue to service the health care requirements of all of our bona fide members,” Katipunan said.

The company noted it remains steadfast in undertaking and prioritizing the needs and concerns of Filipinos.

The company emphasized that it has faithfully adhered to the rules and regulations covering the implementation and sale of its products as mandated by government regulatory bodies. —VDS, GMA News