Solon calls for probe on 'new anomaly' at PhilHealth

House Deputy Majority Leader Bernadette Herrera has called on the House of Representatives to investigate what she described as a "new anomaly" at PhilHealth involving the reimbursement of COVID-19 swab tests that have already been paid by the members.

In a privilege speech, Herrera said she has received reports where PhilHealth members who have availed of the COVID-19 testing package were asked to provide their PhilHealth identification number.

After the ID number has been provided, she said a hospital or testing center would then process a reimbursement against the person's PhilHealth account, "and the money is pocketed by these unscrupulous individuals."

In fact, Herrera said her brother, Quezon City Councilor Bernard Herrera, almost fell victim to his scheme.

According to her, Bernard received a text message from the billing department of a hospital in Pampanga, which processed his COVID-19 swab test, requesting for his PhilHealth account number.

Bernard refused to give his account number, believing that he no longer needed to do so as he already personally paid for his swab test and that he did not at all avail of the PhilHealth's testing benefit package, she added.

“This is one hospital, out of so many that are capable of doing this. The magnitude of this anomalous scheme is beyond comprehension. This is so systemic, so complicated, that it cannot have been done without complicit actions of people within PhilHealth,” Herrera said.

“I have asked DOH (Department of Health) and PhilHealth to investigate. Now, I am asking Congress to do the same. It is high time your corrupt ways end and your days are numbered,” she added, referring to those involved in the scheme.

Herrera believes that this anomaly is rooted from the lack of public knowledge that certain groups could take COVID-19 tests free of charge.

She said the DOH earlier announced that six subgroups of at-risk individuals are given priority for free swab testing, including patients with severe symptoms and mild symptoms but with travel history or contact, health care workers, senior citizens, and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Also eligible for free swab tests are workers in the tourist zones, local manufacturing companies, transport and logistics, food retail, education, financial services, non-food retail, services, public market, construction; water supply, sewerage, and waste management; public sector, and mass media, she added.

"One therefore asks, how many of us even knew that our mothers and fathers, our market vendors, our OFWs, among many other categories, could claim a package for the PCR tests and not have to shell out any much-needed cash?” Herrera asked.

“Why was it that this system was not fully publicized if the intent was to allow for qualified people to get tested at the very least without the brunt of paying full price?” she added.

Aside from calling for an investigation into the matter, Herrera also urged her colleagues to pass a measure that permanently bans hospitals and testing centers found to have conspired with scalawags within PhilHealth.

"Once it has been proven that they are involved in corruption of any form, these hospitals and testing centers shall be prohibited from any form of licensing, even as basic as a business permit, and their owners, shareholders, and management be criminally charged,” she said.

“Furthermore, as recompense for their participation in defrauding the government and stealing from the people, their assets shall be forfeited,” she added.—AOL, GMA News