By Jeffrey Damicog The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) will change the rates of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after April 14. Philhealth President, retired army general Ricardo “Dick” Morales (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN) “Although sufficient, hindi naman unlimited so we have to be exercising due prudence (Although the funds are sufficient, they are not unlimited so we have to exercise due prudence),” explained Philhealth president and chief executive officer, retired Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales, during an interview over PTV. At the moment, Morales said that the Philihealth will pay the hospital spending of all COVID-19 patients at cost until April 14. “Up to April 14 at cost ang sasagutin ng Philhealth. Wala dapat ibayad ang pasyente (Up to April 14 Philhealth will shoulder hospital expenses. Patients don’t have to pay),” Morales said. “Sasagutin ng Philhealth yan. Tatawagan namin ang hospital, we assure them na babayaran namin sila (Philhealth will shoulder it. We will call the hospital and tell them they will get paid),” he added. After April 14, however, Morales said Philihealth will provide cash assistance to patients depending on the case rates or severity of the condition of the patient. The case rates are: mild pneumonia, P43,997; moderate pneumonia, P143,267; severe pneumonia, P333,519; and critical pneumonia, P786,384. Morales cited that Philhealth has allotted P30 billion for COVID-19 patients and has, so far, spent around P6 billion. He noted that the highest that was spent on a COVID-19 patient was P3.2 million. “Around 5,000 health facilities are covered by this P30 billion,” said the Philhealth president who guaranteed that advisories have been sent to the hospitals. Morales said that Philhealth has already issued advisories informing hospitals about the health coverage. He also disclosed that Philhealth is working closely with banks for the immediate release of the funds.