MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has committed to reconcile unpaid claims to private hospitals who earlier threatened to pull out from the state health insurer.
In a meeting between officials from PhilHealth and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAP) on Thursday, both parties agreed to work together to settle their issues, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Go, chair of the Senate health committee, earlier said he would summon PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales and PHAP president Rustico Jimenez so that the two could iron out their problems.
READ: Go to summon PhilHealth, hospital execs
PHAP in an open letter earlier this week warned that its members may cut off their PhilHealth accreditation due to unpaid financial obligations of state health insurance firm.
“Naiintindihan ko mga hospital na dapat sila mabayaran. Ang concern ko lang dapat hindi mapabayaan ang mga pasyente. Dapat hindi ma-hamper ang serbisyo,” Go, who mediated the meeting, said in a statement.
(I understand the hospitals, they also need to replenish their funds. My concern is the welfare of the patients. The issue should not hamper the medical service given to them).
According to the senator, PhilHealth officials said that the firm’s regional office officials would sit down with the management of various hospitals to reconcile the claims.
PhilHealth also appealed for cooperation from private hospitals in order to settle the outstanding accounts as it expressed readiness to hear their concerns, the senator added.
Go, meanwhile, reiterated that it is important to ensure that funds of PhilHealth are not wasted and are utilized properly to benefit patients in need of medical attention.