ILOILO CITY — Contrary to their plan to cut their ties with state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), seven private hospitals in Iloilo City still renewed their accreditation.
In a Feb. 22 statement, the seven hospitals emphasized the “interest of public health” as the main reason for the renewal of PhilHealth's accreditation despite PhilHealth’s failure to fully pay the P900 million in claims for last year and burdened the hospitals' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PhilHealth allegedly only made “minimum acceptable payments” to the management of St. Paul’s Hospital, Iloilo Doctors Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital, The Medical City Iloilo, Medicus Medical Center, Qualimed Hospital Iloilo, and Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center. The seven hospitals did not disclose the amount paid to them.
In a statement, the seven hospitals also pointed out that PhilHealth did not comply with the other obligations during a dialogue with PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran last December 29, 2021.
“Despite our decision to re-engage, we will still pursue our advocacy to push for long-term reforms in PhilHealth and in our healthcare system,” the hospitals added.
The hospitals also cater to patients from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces.