Poe: Suspension of PhilHealth circular on payment of hospital claims a ‘puny step’

Sen. Grace Poe. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe dubbed as a “puny step” Monday the decision of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to put on hold the controversial circular suspending the payment of suspicious hospital claims.

Poe said that PhilHealth should instead enforce a “fast turnaround time in settling its dues and improve operational efficiency in processing claims.”

“The suspension of the PhilHealth circular is a puny step to the pressing situation threatening the delivery of healthcare services due to unpaid obligations to hospitals,” Poe said in a statement.

“What we’ve been wanting all along is for the state health insurer to declare that it has reimbursed all valid claims of our hospitals,” the senator added.

Poe said that any more delay in the payment of hospital claims is “untenable amid the raging pandemic that puts a heavy strain on our healthcare system.”

“Papaano makakapagbigay-serbisyo ang mga ospital sa ating mga kababayan kung sila mismo ay naghihingalo na dahil sa utang ng PhilHealth?” Poe said.

(How can the hospitals provide services to our fellow Filipinos if these health care facilities are dying because of PhilHealth’s debts?)

PhilHealth earlier announced it is temporarily shelving Circular No. 2021-0013, or the temporary suspension of payment claims (TSPC), following discussions with the Department of Health (DOH) amid concerns of healthcare providers.

For now, PhilHealth said it would look for better solutions to fight health insurance fraud.

JPV