PhilHealth to consider benefits for COVID-19 patients in ERs

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will look at possible benefits that can be granted to COVID-19 patients who are staying in hospital emergency rooms (ER) while awaiting admission, Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said on Wednesday.

PhilHealth, Vega said, is currently not covering charges made by hospitals for those who are waiting in the ER.

Patients who are PhilHealth members need to be formally admitted to be able to claim benefits.

“Nakipag-usap na kami sa PhilHealth through Atty. Gierran at nagsabi na siya na idi-discuss nila kung ano ang benefits, especially sa mga COVID-19 patients natin na nasa ER na hindi maka-collect from PhilHealth,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(We have talked with PhilHealth chief Atty. Dante Gierran and he said they will discuss the possible benefits  for COVID-19 patients in ERs who cannot collect from PhilHealth.)

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite earlier revealed that some hospitals are charging COVID-19 patients staying in temporary tents P1,000 per hour while awaiting admission.

He said the cost is not covered by PhilHealth.

During a House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday, PhilHealth Acting Senior Vice President Neri Santiago said it is currently not in their protocol to include the use of hospital tents in its packages.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the practice as unacceptable.

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