House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez says he will find a way to make the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) cover at least half the bill incurred by Filipinos in private hospitals. 

According to Romualdez, the chief complaint of patients, especially the indigents, is that PhilHealth is only shouldering 15 percent to 20 percent of the bills in private medical institutions, especially if they are admitted in private wards. 

“Marami ang nagtatanong sa atin kung puwedeng dagdagan ang sasagutin ng PhilHealth sa billing at doctors’ fees kapag private ang kinuha na kwarto o sa pay ward,” Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, Feb. 11. 

(A lot of people have been asking if we could increase PhilHealth coverage to shoulder doctors' fees on their bill if they are on a private or pay ward.) 

“Hiling ng mga tao na kalahati ng bill nila sana kapag na-admit sa private ay sagutin ng PhilHealth para kalahati na lang ang bayaran ng miyembro,” he noted. 

(It's the people's request to have PhilHealth shoulder half of their bill whenever they get admitted to a private hospital, with the remaining half to be paid by the member.) 

“Maghahanap tayo ng solusyon kung papaano magawan na paraan itong kahilingan ng taumbayan na hindi na dadaan sa paggawa pa ng batas dahil medyo matagal ito,” the Speaker said. 

(We will look for a solution as to how we can grant this request from the people, without having to go through the lengthy path of legislation.) 

“Definitely, we hear our constituents. Therefore, we have to do something about it,” added the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

In terms of professional fees of physicians and medical specialists, the Speaker received complains that PhilHealth only subsidizes 30 percent for private hospital patients. 

He added that he wants to talk to the concerned officials to check the exact benefits being received by members confined in private hospitals. 

Dr. Jose Degrano, president of the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines (PHAP), hailed Romualdez's move. 

“Malaking tulong ang naiisip na 'yan ni Speaker Romualdez sa mga tao. Karamihan ng na-aadmit sa ospital ay nasa pay ward kahit mahirap dahil madaling maubos ang hospital beds sa charity ward,” he explained. 

(Speaker Romualdez's idea will be a big boon to the people. Most of those who get admitted to the hospital end up at the pay ward, even if they're indigent, since hospital beds in the charity ward get filled up quickly.) 

“Mabigat din para sa kanila ang doctors’ fees (Doctors' fees can be a heavy burden for them),” he stated.