The enforcement of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) new circular on the temporary suspension of hospital payments claims that are under investigation would mean hospitals would suffer, a hospital group said Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) President Dr. Rene de Grano is referring to PhilHealth's Circular No. 2021-0013, which suspends payment of claims that are subject to investigation due to possible fraudulent, unethical acts or abuse of authority for a period of 120 days.
"Ang kinalulungkot namin, ang sinasabi po ng aming mga ospital, pag nagpatuloy yan at ganun talaga ang nangyari at magfe-freeze ang kanilang claims... ibig sabihin po parang pinutulan nila ng lifeline ang isang healthcare provider (What we regret, our hospitals are saying, if that continues and that's what will be enforced and their claims will freeze, it means it's as if they cut the lifeline of a healthcare provider)," De Grano said during a virtual briefing.
"Pag nagkaganun po, kawawa ang mga pasyente (When it happens, the patients will be affected)," De Grano added.
During a House health panel hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 24, lawmakers urged PhilHealth to review and suspend its new circular, saying it would lead to hospital closures at a time when the country's healthcare system is dealing with another surge in COVID-19 infections.
"Kung maaari po i-stop na muna ang implementation nyan, kasi sila na rin nagsabi dati pa palang meron yang , nagtataka kami na parang panahon na sila ay tinututukan ng media, Congress, at Senate, kung bakit hindi nila nababayaran ang utang, ay tsaka naman nila bigla nilang nilabas itong mga circular na ito (I hope they won't implement this, because they said that there's already a TSPC even before, so we're wondering why now, when they are being targeted by the media, Congress, and Senate on why they can't pay debts, they suddenly issued these circulars)," De Grano said.
"Pag tinuloy nila at nagkaganun na nga, ang mas kawawa talaaga ay hindi lang ang mga ospital, kung di lalo na po ang mga pasyente ng PhilHealth (If they continue with the implementation of this circular, not only the hospitals would suffer, but also the patients of PhilHealth)," he added.