Hospitals, PhilHealth to meet to discuss ‘uncertainties’ in COVID-19 coverage

The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) on Monday said it will have a meeting with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday to clarify "uncertainties" regarding the coverage for COVID-19 patients.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, PHA president Dr. Jaime Almora added they also want clarification on the role of smaller hospitals in the COVID-19 response.

“Bukas, magmi-meeting kami ng PhilHealth at susubukan naming ihayag sa kanila ang aming mga problema (Tomorrow, we will have a meeting with PhilHealth and try to present our issues to them),” he said.

Almora said some memorandum circulars and orders from the state insurer cause “information disconnect” among regional offices and confusion among hospitals.

He added that hospitals are engaging in a gamble when admitting COVID-19 patients because they are not sure if PhilHealth will accept them and cover their expenses.

Earlier, Senator Sonny Angara and Senator Grace Poe urged PhilHealth to expedite the release of hospital claims amid the threat of the Delta coronavirus variant in the country.

Angara cited the report of PHA saying several of its members have been experiencing severe financial distress due to their unpaid claims from PhilHealth.

According to Almora, the claims of their members range from P50 million to P700 million, but one hospital's claims has already reached P1.2 billion.

Poe called on PhilHealth and the Department of Budget and Management to "work harder" to expedite the release of funds for health workers and hospitals. —KG, GMA News