2 PHAPi member hospitals close amid PhilHealth payment, policy concerns —official

Two hospitals part of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) have closed amid concerns on delayed payments and the policies of PhilHealth, the group’s president said Wednesday.

“There were two of our members who already closed—one in Samar and one in Davao,” Dr. Jose Rene De Grano said in an interview on ANC when asked about hospitals that expressed intention to close due to mounting losses.

“Some are still planning but they are trying to hold on by, let’s say, downsizing, reducing work hours, borrowing from banks and those things so they can continue the operations,” he added.

Earlier this week, hospital groups and PhilHealth met to discuss the state insurer’s circular on the temporary suspension of payment of claims, which is intended to be a preventive measure against healthcare providers that are the subject of investigation.

Following the issuance of the circular, hospital groups said they would consider cutting ties with PhilHealth over a lack of trust. 

De Grano said hospitals would follow through on their threat if PhilHealth still does not pay claims after discussions.

“We’ll have to really push on the disengagement process, which will probably commence on October until end of December and then we’ll see how many really hospitals will disengage and not renew their accreditation,” he said.

De Grano said this would mean that patients would need to pay for the cost of their hospitalization in full and then file their claim at the nearest PhilHealth branch.

PhilHealth spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo earlier said the discussion between them and hospital groups was “productive.” —KBK, GMA News