CIDG probes WellMed on ‘ghost’ dialysis treatments

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tapped the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate WellMed Dialysis & Laboratory Center Corp. (WellMed), which allegedly claimed payments for “ghost” dialysis treatments funded by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“‘Yung WellMed, that is being investigated already by the CIDG,” PNP chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing Monday at Camp Crame.

Albayalde said the CIDG will also investigate PhilHealth if they will be ordered to do so, but said they have to coordinate with the agency before they can conduct the probe.

“Kung talagang paiimbestigahan sa atin ang PhilHealth, then why not? We have to coordinate with PhilHealth also kasi hindi naman tayo pwede basta-bastang pumasok sa kanilang agency nang basta-basta nang walang cooperation or collaboration with them,” he said.

(If we will be ordered to investigate PhilHealth itself, then why not? We have to coordinate with PhilHealth because we can’t enter their agency without cooperation or collaboration with them.)

READ: PhilHealth pays for ghost kidney treatments

Meanwhile, Albayalde also warned that the police officer who received the report of whistleblower Edwin Roberto as well as the threat to his life but did not investigate the matter after recording the story to police blotter may be relieved.

Albayalde said even the chief of police may be relieved from his post.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to arrest the owners of WellMed. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: Duterte orders arrest of WellMed owner, mulls PhilHealth overhaul