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Suspended IRM may affect hospitals' financial liquidity –PhilHealth


Some hospitals might experience financial difficulties after the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) suspended its Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) amid issues hounding the payment system.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, despite the IRM’s suspension, PhilHealth members’ benefits would still continue, however, some hospitals might not have enough funds.

“It’s only the IRM—that means suspend muna ‘yong processing. So ang effect lang nito is immediate financial liquidity ng mga hospitals because when we can give the IRM, mabibigay kaagad ‘yong pera sa kanila,” PhilHealth Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo said.

The IRM is a system where PhilHealth pays hospitals and healthcare facilities in advance for insurance claims, to ensure that they could function in crises.

“There were issues in the congressional inquiries so we thought it best to address these issues first aside from the controversy surrounding this IRM. Lahat ‘yon aayusin muna before we release it again,” Domingo said.

However, according to the Philippine Hospital Association, the IRM suspension was a serious matter because many public and private hospitals were experiencing difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“‘Yong capability ng hospital ang maje-jeopardize. Sa capabilities especially sa PPE na medyo mahal nga ‘yong mga gamit ng mga personnel to protect themselves, so ayon then kailangan ‘yong iba they are planning to buy ventilators, ‘yong mga iba nag-e-expand ng isolation rooms so may mga physical constructions sa ospital na kailangan gawin,” PHA President Dr. Jaime Almora explained.

Earlier, PhilHealth said the IRM suspension would make way for a review of the system and resolve issues moving forward.

Meanwhile, several senators welcomed PhilHealth’s decision to suspend the IRM implementation amid various issues arising from ongoing investigations in Congress. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News

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