PhilHealth denies hospitals face closure due to delayed payments

State insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) over the weekend denied claims that hospitals are facing closure due to delayed payments, as it has already disbursed some P52.53 billion this year.

In a statement, PhilHealth said payment of claims so far amounted to P38.6 billion, including P4.74 billion paid through the accelerated return to hospital (RTH) initiative, while P13.93 billion was released under the interim reimbursement mechanism.

More than half or 56.5 percent of the total claims, amounting to P21.8 billion, were paid to private facilities.

"PhilHealth categorically denies as unfounded, malicious and irresponsible the statement made by Dr. Rustico Jimenez that 300 or so private hospitals are facing closure due to delayed payments by PhilHealth," the statement read.

"PhilHealth does not recognize Dr. Jimenez as a legitimate representative of any hospital association because of his historical pattern of wild and unfounded accusations," it added.

The statement was released after Dr. Rustico Jimenez, president of the 744-member Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi), said hundreds of private hospitals were on the verge of closure due to delayed payments from PhilHealth.

"PhilHealth has earlier published a statement explaining the purpose and reconfiguration of the IRM program in order to husband its funds for the long term while concentrating on areas with high COVID-19 incidence," said PhilHealth.

"PhilHealth has never issued a 'promise' of IRM release to all hospitals. This was a misinterpretation of Dr. Jimenez," it added. — DVM, GMA News