Hontiveros urges PhilHealth to settle unpaid claims of private hospitals
Senator Risa Hontiveros has joined other lawmakers in prodding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to settle the reimbursement claims of private hospitals as some of them threatened to cut ties with the health state insurer.
Hontiveros said it is necessary for private hospitals to sustain their operations especially since the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.
“I continue to urge PhilHealth to immediately settle the unpaid claims of many hospitals within a reasonable time period,” Hontiveros said in a message sent to reporters.
“The pandemic isn’t over yet and our current health system must be able to serve the needy and jost just those who are able to pay,” she pointed out.
Some private hospitals in Metro Manila and in the provinces are reportedly planning to disengage from PhilHealth over its continued failure to pay reimbursement claims, according to the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI).
If this pushes through, Hontiveros said more Filipinos would have difficulty getting access to quality affordable medical care.
“I am also appealing to our private hospitals to remain committed to ensuring access to affordable healthcare,” she said.
“The government, given its limited capacity to provide hospital care, should explore options to provide crucial financial aid to hospitals at risk,” the lawmaker stressed.