MOUNTING DUES Private hospitals have long complained about PhilHealth’s delayed payments for claims, which had ballooned to more than P21.1 billion by mid-2021. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has extended the validity of accreditation of all currently accredited health facilities until January 31, 2022, after some hospitals announced plans to disengage from the state health insurer due to millions in unpaid claims.
“Relative to PhilHealth Advisory No. 2021-046 regarding continuous/renewal of accreditation of health facilities (HFs) for CY 2022, please be informed that PhilHealth will extend the validity of accreditation to all currently accredited HFs up to January 31, 2022,” PhilHealth said in an advisory.
PhilHealth, however, said that the health facilities should submit complete applications for 2022 accreditation to their respective regional offices on or before January 31.
“Gap in the Department of Health License to Operate (LTO)/Certification of HFs shall be reflected in the above extension,” the agency said.
Application received for renewal of accreditation beyond the end of January may lead to a gap in accreditation, according to PhilHealth.
The agency made the announcement after seven private hospitals in Iloilo City and the Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation announced that they will no longer renew their accreditation in January due to PhilHealth’s unpaid claims.
The Private Hospitals Association in the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) even urged its members to observe a “PhilHealth holiday” where they were supposed to not accept claims for PhilHealth deductions for health services from January 1 to 5, in support of these hospitals.
However, PHAPi President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said Wednesday they have postponed their plan “per request of concerned citizens and patient groups so they can be informed well and advised on what to do during the holiday.”