PhilHealth warns member-hospitals vs. denying nCoV-linked patients

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on Thursday warned its accredited hospitals against refusing to provide services to persons under investigation (PUIs) for possible novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection.

In an advisory on Wednesday, PhilHealth warned all accredited Level 2 to 3 hospitals –expected to have capacity to perform quarantine and handle infectious diseases –to accept all PUIs.

“Refusal to provide care to said patients shall be considered a violation of the signed Performance Commitment and shall be dealt with by the Corporation accordingly,” PhilHealth said.

Moreover, these hospitals should administer the assessment and management of the PUI patients.

PhilHealth is extending a special package to PUIs, for Filipinos and foreign members.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the package includes P1,000 daily for each hospital taking care of an nCoV patient or PUI, adding that this would apply to the 14-day quarantine period.

"If pneumonia sets in, then there's a pneumonia package—from mild, P16,000 to severe P32,000," Duque said.

As of Wednesday, the Department of Health reported a total of 133 PUIs for nCoV infection. Of the total, 115 are admitted and isolated, while 16 have been discharged and under strict monitoring.

Among the PUIs, 63 are Filipinos, 54 are Chinese, and 16 are of different nationality.

The number of cases of nCoV infection in China, which started in Wuhan City, has now reached 28,018 nationwide with 3,694 new cases reported, the National Health Commission said Thursday.  —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News